The Wiin blog has a pretty informative article up on parental controls for the various types of new consoles, as well as a quick tutorial for enabling parental controls on your PSP. It's amazing how this very family-friendly feature wasn't all that publicized in holiday press releases from Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo, so we thought it best to share this with you, if only to keep your kids or siblings from viewing less than wholesome material on the consoles.

PlayStation 3:

Parental locks for the different portions of the console can be accessed by going to Settings, followed by Security Settings (movies), Parental Control (games), or Internet Browser Start Control (web browser). If you haven't messed with the password of the PS3, then your default password should be four zeroes: "0000".

You can enable different levels of parental locks for movies and games, with a lower number indicating greater restrictions. For the web browser, it's just an "on" and "off" switch. Just remember to change the password, just in case they know the "0000" code.

Nintendo Wii:

To enable parental controls here, click the Wii button at the bottom of the screen, followed by Wii Settings and Parental Controls. You can alter the type of game content the Wii can play as governed by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), so you have a second line of defense just in case someone stops by with a game that's not for kids. When connected to the internet, you can also disable the browser, limit email access, and place an identification number to keep any unintended virtual console buying sprees in check.

As always, you'll also get a password notice. The Wii will also allow you to make a reminder question, just in case you forgot what your password was.

Xbox 360:

Family controls can be accessed by turning on your console without a disc, and then selecting System, Family Settings, and Console Controls. This will let you set restrictions on games, movies, and Xbox Live usage, though we're not too sure if that'll stop you from buying stuff.

The also have a passcode feature (Console Controls -> Set Pass Code), which is created from a four-key combo on the controller. Not exactly advanced cryptography (that's like 100,000 possibilities, tops), but it should be enough of a deterrent.

PlayStation Portable:

It's almost the same as the PS3 restriction type. Turn on your handheld, go to Settings, and then Security Settings for movie and game controls, or Internet Browser Start Control for the PSP's browser. Go to the Change Password option to change "0000" into something else, and your PSP is good to go.