Parents.

Welcome to the parent’s section of Nintendo's website, where we are dedicated to addressing specific questions parents may have about our products. In this section you will find detailed information about:

Family Values

At Nintendo.com.au we recognise the importance of family values and respecting the rights of both parents and children. We also welcome the opportunity to provide assurances to parents like you who take a special interest in their children’s internet activities. With that in mind, we want to let you know we’re committed to providing a fun, exciting and safe environment for your kids to explore. To help protect your children’s welfare we monitor all of our content to ensure it is appropriate for all ages. We also try to ensure that no unsuitable advertising or sponsorship links are permitted within this site.

Children's Safety

Nintendo DS wireless communication (including PictoChat™) is not monitored.

PictoChat allows users to communicate wirelessly with other Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS lite users within a range of approximately 20 metres (65 feet). Up to 16 users can chat at one time in a PictoChat chat room. In addition, some games may also have similar chat features programmed in to the game.

This communication is not monitored or controlled.
Messages may be received by strangers and communicated from strangers.

To ensure your privacy do not give out personal information such as last name, phone number, age, email or home address when communicating with others.

Children who use Nintendo DS should be warned against communicating with or meeting strangers or communicating personal information which strangers may receive and read.

Whatever date you choose to enter as your month/day of birth (year is not asked for) an its your birthday message will be communicated in the chat room on that date. Whatever name the user enters as their nickname during the system set up can be viewed by other Nintendo DS users while using PictoChat. An adult should assist children with the system setup.

Becoming a Member

To receive the latest gaming news and information, as well as exclusive benefits such as previews, competitions and downloads, your child may wish to join as a member of nintendo.com.au. To become a member your child will need to supply some personal details including their name, age and email address. Please be assured this information will be held in strictest confidence. Your child can subscribe or unsubscribe as a member at any time.

Game Classifications

At Nintendo our extensive range of games are designed for various ages. While many of our games are suitable for young children many others are designed for an older audience. So to guide you on which are appropriate for your child, all of our games are given a game classification.

These classifications are clearly marked on the packaging and on our website. Game classifications operate in a very similar fashion to the classification guides for movies. Each game package also features content descriptors, which specify reasons for the classification.

Click here for more information on classifications... http://www.classification.gov.au/

Helpful Tips for Safe Web Usage

The internet can be fun and enjoyable as well as a stimulating learning environment for children. However, many sites exist that are undesirable. We therefore want to take this opportunity to provide some helpful tips for safe web usage by children.

We encourage you to spend time online with your kids. Check out the sites your child enjoys.
Put the internet computer in a public area of your home, such as the living room, so you can keep an eye on what's going on.
Investigate and monitor any chat rooms or online clubs that your child uses, to ensure they are legitimate. Many are supervised with adult hosts who watch over conversations and monitor behaviour.
Let your child know that the same rules apply to strangers online as to other strangers.
Set specific rules about what information your children can give out online. Never give out internet or email passwords - even to friends.
Instruct your child not to click on any links that they are unsure about.
Encourage your child to talk about their internet experiences and to let you know if something worries them.
Take an interest in any online friends your child makes just as you would their other friends.
Advise your child that it’s okay to walk away from the internet anytime.
Use search engines designed for kids and consider using filters, labels and safe zones.

For more information on keeping safe with Nintendo products click here to view our health & safety section.

Game Classifications

This classification is suitable for the youngest child and should not require parental supervision.

Elements which might warrant this category would include:

depictions of unrealistic or stylised violence even where these are considered mild
mild horror or potentially frightening fantasy characters or situations
the mildest expletives, but only if infrequent.

Elements which might warrant this category would include:

depictions of realistic violence of low intensity (eg punches, kicks, blows to realistic animated characters or real-life images) supernatural or horror scenarios, but not if graphic or impactful
mild sexual references
low level coarse language, but not if excessive.

Elements which might warrant this category would include:

Strong content. People under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when hiring or buying these games.
depictions of realistic violence of medium intensity (eg impactful punches, kicks, blows and blood-shed to realistic animated characters or real-life images)
graphic or impactful supernatural or horror scenarios
strong sexual references
use of frequent crude language, but not if excessive, unduly assaultative or sexually explicit
nudity, including genital detail, but only if there is a ‘bona fide’ educational, medical or community health purpose.