Add or create an additional Username

You can have up to seven active Usernames, including your primary master Username, for your AOL account. If you would like to add a Username and already have seven active Usernames on your account, please delete any one of the active Usernames to accommodate a new one; however, you cannot delete your primary master Username, which is the one used to create your AOL account.

In creating separate Usernames for your children and other family members, you can also set different levels of access for each Username with the Parental Controls feature. This helps the AOL Desktop Software automatically adjust each user's access to AOL services and to the rest of the internet.

IMPORTANT: You will need to remember the answer to the Account Security Question (ASQ) of your primary master Username to perform the steps below. You can change your ASQ if you don't remember the answer to it. For instructions on how to change your ASQ, refer to the help article I forgot the answer to my Account Security Question.

Create an additional Username

Note: You can use the following tips while creating new Usernames:

• Usernames can be based on your real name, your job or your hobby.
• Usernames should be three to 16 characters long and start with a capital letter.
• Usernames can be a combination of letters, numbers and spaces, but symbols cannot be used.

1. Go to My Account and sign in with your master Username and password.

2. Type the answer to your Account Security Question and click Continue.

3. Under Username Options, click Manage My Usernames.

Note: You may not be able to see the Manage Usernames link if:

• You are signed on with a Username that is not a primary or secondary master Username
• You are signed on with a non-AOL email address.

4. In the Add a Screen Name box, type the Username that you wish to add and then click Add.

Note: If the Username you have entered is not available, please use the Suggest a Username feature. It provides you with a list of available Usernames based on your preference.

5. Depending on who will be using the new Username, select the appropriate age category.

Note: To learn more about the different age categories, select the Click for detailed definitions of age categories link. For instructions on creating age-specific Usernames, please see suggestions below:

• General Username
• Kids Only or Teen Username

Create a General Username

Usernames under the General category can access all standard AOL products for adults, including communication features and content on AOL and the web. A user under the General category can make online purchases through AOL. These purchases will be billed using the user's AOL account information.

1. Select General (Ages 18+) to get access to all content and services, and then click Continue.

Note: If you would like to designate the General Username as a master Username, select the box next to Master Username.

2. Type a password in the New Password box, and then re-type the password in the Confirm Password box.

3. Click Continue.

4. Select an ASQ from the Account Security Question drop-down list.

5. Type your answer to the ASQ in the Your Answer box, and then re-type the answer in the Re-Type Your Answer box.

6. Click Continue. A confirmation message appears confirming the creation of the Username and the Age category to which it belongs.

Create a Kids Only or Teen Username.

You can create a child's Username and customize its access to the internet using the Parental Controls feature. Parental Controls allow you to decide with whom your children can communicate via email or IM, and the websites they can visit. Only a master Username can modify the Parental Controls settings. This ensures that your children cannot select their own levels of access.

The age categories available when creating a child's account include:

• Mature Teen (Ages 16-17): Access to the JSYK service designed for teens. Parental Controls filter violent or explicitly adult websites. All communication features are available, including monitored chat rooms.
• Young Teen (Ages 13-15): Access to both the JSYK service (designed for teens) and the AOL Kids service (created for tweens). Parental Controls filters mature and violent websites, and provides access to email, IM and monitored chat rooms.
• Kids Only (Ages 12 and Under): Access to the AOL Kids service designed for kids and tweens. It has custom themes, music, games and educational content. Parental Controls filters known inappropriate content and allows access to monitored-only AOL Kids chat rooms. IMs from Usernames that are not on the IM Safety List will be blocked by default.

1. Select the appropriate age category of the user from the following: Mature Teen(Ages 16-17), Young Teen (Ages 13-15), or Kids Only (Ages 12 and Under).

2. Review the Terms of Service, then select the I accept these terms box.

3. Select your preference for receiving AOL Activity Report, then click Continue. The AOL Activity Report is an email summary of your child's online activities. This report is sent to your master Username email.

4. Type a password in the New Password box, then re-type the password in the Confirm Password box.

5. Click Continue.

6. Select an ASQ from the Account Security Question drop-down list.

7. Type your answer to the ASQ in the Your Answer box, and then re-type the answer in the Re-Type Your Answer box.

8. Click Continue. A confirmation message appears confirming the creation of the Username and the Age category to which it belongs.

Prefer phone support? Contact us (paid members only) or upgrade your AOL plan to receive 24/7, live AOL technical support.

Related Articles: