Netflix Parental Controls

Netflix is a popular streaming platform with over 300 million subscribers worldwide, offering thousands of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content across all genres. From animated kids’ series to critically acclaimed dramas, Netflix caters to a wide range of tastes and age groups, making it a go-to entertainment source for families.

However, with such a vast and diverse content library—including mature themes, R-rated films, and intense TV-MA series—it’s important for parents to take control of what their children can access. Netflix’s parental control settings allow you to manage viewing restrictions, set up kid-friendly profiles, and monitor activity to create a safer, more age-appropriate streaming experience at home.

What Inappropriate Content Might Be on Netflix?

Netflix features a massive catalog of TV shows, movies, and original series, ranging from family-friendly entertainment to mature content intended strictly for adults. Many titles are rated TV-MA or R, containing graphic violence, horror, explicit language, or sexual themes. Even some titles that appear harmless can surprise parents with plotlines or imagery that aren’t age-appropriate, which is why understanding maturity ratings and enabling Netflix parental controls is crucial.

While Netflix Kids and the kids profile option help filter out a lot of inappropriate content, they aren’t foolproof. Without custom viewing restrictions or title restrictions, kids may still access content not suited for their maturity level. Some seemingly child-friendly animations or fantasy TV shows might explore darker topics that require more parental oversight. Using the right parental controls lets you manage profiles more effectively and ensure your child’s profile reflects what you consider appropriate.

How to Set Up Netflix Parental Controls

Netflix offers built-in parental control features to help protect kids from inappropriate content and make sure they’re only accessing age-appropriate material. These tools allow you to tailor each Netflix profile with settings that match your child’s maturity level, restrict access to certain TV shows or movies, and even control what plays automatically.

Here are the main ways to set parental controls on your Netflix account:

How to Set Up Netflix Kid Profiles

Creating a Netflix Kids profile is a simple way to give your child a safer, more curated experience. It limits access to content appropriate for younger viewers and features a simplified interface designed for kids.

Follow this step-by-step guide to set up a kids’ profile:

  1. Go to your Netflix account page.
  2. Click “Manage Profiles” in the top-right corner under your profile icon.
  3. Select “Add Profile” and check the box labeled “Kids” to activate the Netflix Kids experience.
  4. Save and customize. Once created, you can return to the profile settings to set more detailed maturity ratings and restrictions.

How to Set Maturity Ratings for Each Profile

Customizing maturity settings allows you to control what type of content each individual profile can access based on Netflix’s maturity rating system (e.g., “Little Kids,” “Older Kids,” “Teens,” “Adults”).

To set a maturity rating:

  1. Go to the “Manage Profiles” section.
  2. Select the child’s profile you want to update.
  3. Scroll to “Viewing Restrictions” and set the appropriate maturity level using the drop-down menu.
  4. Click “Save” to apply restrictions across all devices

How to Lock a Profile with a PIN

Using a profile lock ensures that children can’t access other Netflix profiles that may have fewer restrictions or access to adult content.

To set a profile PIN:

  1. Go to your account settings
  2. Scroll to “Profile & Parental Controls.” Choose the profile you want to protect.
  3. Click “Profile Lock” and enter your account password.
  4. Set a 4-digit PIN to lock access to that profile.

How to Block Specific Shows and Movies

Title restrictions allow you to block access to specific titles you don’t want your child to see, regardless of the maturity rating.

To block specific shows and movies:

  1. Go to your Account Page > Profile & Parental Controls and select your child’s profile.
  2. Click “Viewing Restrictions” and scroll to the title restriction field.
  3. Enter the name of the show or movie.
  4. Save your settings to block the specific title from that profile.

How to Review Netflix Viewing History

Checking viewing history helps you monitor what your child has been watching and spot anything that may need to be addressed.

To view a child’s watch history:

  1. Log into your Netflix account via web browser.
  2. Go to “Account” and open “Profile & Parental Controls.” Select the appropriate profile.
  3. Click “Viewing Activity” to see a full list of recently watched TV shows and movies.
  4. Review titles to decide if further restrictions are needed.

How to Turn Off Autoplay for Kids

Turning off autoplay can help manage screen time by preventing endless episodes from playing automatically.

To disable autoplay:

  1. Log into your Netflix account and go to “Manage Profiles.”
  2. Click the pencil icon on the kid’s profile.
  3. Uncheck “Autoplay next episode in a series.”
  4. Click “Save.” This helps encourage breaks between watching and puts more control in your hands.

Additional Safety Tips for Kids Watching Netflix

In addition to setting up Netflix parental controls, it’s important to adopt a few general safe streaming habits to create a well-rounded approach to digital safety. These tips can help parents stay engaged, set healthy boundaries, and ensure that their children have a positive, age-appropriate experience while watching Netflix.

  • Watch Together When Possible: Co-viewing lets you monitor content in real-time, answer questions, and encourage thoughtful discussions about what your child is seeing.
  • Regularly Review the Child’s Profile: Periodically check maturity settings, title restrictions, and viewing history to make sure everything still aligns with your child’s age and emotional development.
  • Turn Off Autoplay: Disabling autoplay can reduce screen time and prevent binge-watching, encouraging kids to take breaks and engage in other activities.
  • Have Open Conversations About Online Content: Talk to your child about what they’re watching, who their favorite characters are, and how they feel about certain TV shows or movies. This keeps the conversation open and builds trust.
  • Use Profile Lock on Adult Accounts: Protect adult content by setting a profile lock PIN on unrestricted profiles, so kids can’t access them without your knowledge.
  • Set Streaming Limits with Screen Time Tools: Use built-in device features or third-party apps to set daily streaming limits and manage access times—especially helpful for school nights.

When you combine Netflix parental controls with active involvement and regular check-ins, you can help keep your child’s streaming experience both fun and safe.

How to Monitor and Adjust Parental Controls Over Time

As your child grows, it’s important to regularly update your Netflix parental controls to reflect their changing maturity level and viewing preferences. Here are some practical ways to stay on top of it:

  • Review Settings Regularly: Use a web browser, Android, or iPhone to log into your Netflix account and access the “Manage Profiles” section. Check and update maturity ratings, title restrictions, and autoplay options as needed.
  • Adjust Permissions as They Grow: As kids mature, gradually adjust restrictions to reflect their age and emotional development. You can also create new profiles with different settings for tweens or teens.
  • Talk About Content Preferences: Ask your child what types of TV shows or movies they enjoy. This creates an opportunity to recommend age-appropriate options and stay aware of their interests.
  • Stay Aware of Social Media Trends: If your child uses social media, be mindful of trending shows or peer recommendations that may influence what they want to watch. Review them together when necessary.
  • Use Smartphones to Make Quick Updates: The Netflix app on smartphones makes it easy to update controls on the go, whether you’re using Android or iPhone.
  • Watch and Adjust as Needed: Monitor your child’s viewing habits through viewing history and make changes to their settings as new interests emerge or boundaries shift.

As you check and adjust your parental controls, you can make sure your child’s Netflix profile continues to support safe, age-appropriate streaming as they grow. 

Other Ways StreamSafely Can Help

StreamSafely offers a range of helpful resources to support safe, legal, and family-friendly streaming. If you’re concerned about what your kids might encounter online, it’s worth learning why pirated content poses serious risks, especially since it lacks parental controls and often exposes viewers to harmful material. You can also explore the dangers of illegal streaming devices, which not only violate the law but can put your privacy and data at risk.

For families looking to stream confidently, StreamSafely breaks down trusted ways to access content through legitimate services. Our guides cover everything from the history of streaming technology to how AI is changing the way we stream. To make sure your family is watching safely and responsibly, check out StreamSafely’s Where to Watch guide for a list of verified platforms.

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