# A Lot is Changing for Families on Steam – Here’s What You Need to Know
Steam, the well-known gaming platform by Valve, has rolled out major updates to its family-sharing options, streamlining the process for families to share games and control access. The revamped system, simply referred to as **Steam Family**, has been in practice since March and is now a standard feature for all users. This enhancement supersedes the old family library structure and introduces various new capabilities that improve the gaming experience for families.
Let’s outline the key changes and their implications for you and your family.
## Finally, Play at the Same Time
One of the standout updates is that **multiple family members can now engage in games at the same time**. In the past, only one person was allowed to use a shared game at any given moment, which often caused hiccups in households with several gamers. Now, as long as there are sufficient copies of a game in the family library, multiple users can enjoy the game concurrently.
Nevertheless, there are some limitations to consider:
– **Game Copies**: A game can only be accessed as many times as there are copies in the family library. To allow multiple family members to play the same game at the same time, you’ll need to buy extra copies.
– **Online Requirement**: The individual who purchased the game must be online for family members to access the shared games. However, this can be managed via the Steam app on mobile devices, so there’s no need to be logged into a desktop client.
– **Developer Restrictions**: Certain game developers may opt to restrict the sharing of their games, meaning not every title will be available for family sharing.
### Example Scenario:
Imagine you, as the family leader, own the game *Into the Breach*. While you are playing it, no other family member can access that particular game. However, they can play other titles from your library. If you wish to enjoy *Into the Breach* with multiple family members at once, you’ll need to acquire additional copies.
Each player will have their own game saves, achievements, and workshop content, ensuring a unique experience for every family member.
### Game Sharing Limitations:
At present, **2,798 titles out of 66,620** on Steam are not available for sharing. You can verify if a specific game is eligible for family sharing by checking its Steam store page.
## Improved Parental Controls
Steam has also updated its parental controls, enabling adult family members to enforce restrictions for younger players. This update is critical for families with children, as it allows for greater oversight of which games and features are accessible to minors.
### Key Parental Control Features:
– **Game Access**: Parents can approve or deny access to specific games.
– **Store, Community, and Chat Restrictions**: You can limit access to the Steam store, community features, and chat capabilities.
– **Game Time Limits**: Set restrictions on how long children are allowed to play each day.
– **Track Playtime**: Keep an eye on the amount of time children spend playing games.
– **Requests for More Playtime**: Children can ask for additional playtime or access to specific features, which parents can grant or deny.
– **Purchase Requests**: Kids can request to buy games, which require parent approval. The payment is through the adult’s account, but the game will be added to the child’s library.
These features offer a thorough way for parents to manage their children’s gaming engagement, ensuring it stays safe and suitable for their age.
## Where to Find the New Family Function
To explore the new family-sharing features, navigate to **Steam » Settings » Family**. If the old options are still visible, it indicates that the latest update hasn’t been applied yet. You can manually refresh Steam by going to **Steam » Check for Steam client updates**.
## Steam Family Restrictions
Although the new Steam Family function provides considerable flexibility, there are some crucial restrictions to bear in mind:
– **Family Size**: A family can have up to six members.
– **Sharing Limitations**: Games can now only be shared with family members, rather than with any individual person per account, as was previously permitted.
– **Family Changes**: Once you exit a family, you cannot join another for a year. Likewise, if a family slot opens up, it can only be filled after one year.
– **Technical Restrictions**: Certain games are unable to be shared due to technical reasons, such as needing a third-party account or a separate product key. Valve has indicated that these limitations are intended to discourage misuse of the system.
## Preventing Abuse
These restrictions primarily serve to prevent the abuse of the family-sharing setup. For instance, capping the number of family members and limiting frequent changes in family composition are measures aimed at ensuring that the feature serves its intended purpose—supporting families rather than facilitating shared access.