PlayStation Will Require Age Verification For Online Voice Chat and Messages

Sony has announced the requirement to ensure "safe, age-appropriate experiences for players and families while respecting their privacy.”

Posted By | On 21st, Apr. 2026

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It’s a bit of encouraging news to balance the highs and lows of Sony’s past ten days; the company is bringing in an age verification feature before it grants access to online chat and communication features on PlayStation.

If you’re on the PlayStation Network, you’re still going to be able to play games, access the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Store, Trophies, and everything you get if you play solo. However, you’ll have to complete verifying your age before you get to hop back onto voice chat or message other players. Insider Gaming reports on the latest announcement, per an email from Sony, with the company stating its goal is “safe, age-appropriate experiences for players and families while respecting their privacy.”

There isn’t a date on when the new requirement kicks in, but it will apply globally. We’ll be sure to chime in as soon as there’s an announcement about it going live worldwide.

It’s otherwise been quite the busy month for PlayStation, although this one’s a tad more serious than that exciting launch of The Playerbase. After April 16th came and went, we’ve yet to hear when the next State of Play will occur, but with Insomniac Games promising more details on Marvel’s Wolverine this Spring, it may still be sometime before June.


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