Netflix Parental Control Guide: Keeping Your Child’s Viewing Safe and Fun

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As a parent, you’ve probably experienced the unexpected surprise of something inappropriate popping up on your child’s screen. Fortunately, Netflix offers parental controls that can help keep your child’s viewing experience safe, age-appropriate, and enjoyable. Here’s your ultimate guide to setting up Netflix parental controls and ensuring peace of mind every time your child watches.

Why Parental Controls Matter On Netflix

Netflix has over 260 million subscribers, and in 2023, children in the U.S. spent an average of 49 minutes per day watching content on the platform via mobile devices. With so much content available, it’s important to control what your child watches to avoid inappropriate or unwanted shows and movies.

1. Setting Up a Kid-Friendly Profile

How to Create a Kids’ Profile:

  • Log in to your Netflix account and click on your profile icon.
  • Select “Manage Profiles” and click “Add Profile.”
  • Enter a name and check the box labeled “Child” to ensure the profile only displays content suitable for ages 12 and under.

Creating separate profiles helps keep your child’s content age-appropriate and prevents them from stumbling upon adult-themed shows. You can create up to five profiles, each tailored to different family members.

2. Setting Maturity Ratings

Once the kids’ profile is created, you can fine-tune it by adjusting maturity ratings, ensuring your child only sees content suitable for their age.

How to Set Maturity Ratings:

  • Go to “Manage Profiles” and select your child’s profile.
  • Click on “Adjust Parental Controls.”
  • Enter your account password and select the appropriate maturity level:
    • U: Suitable for all ages.
    • U/A 7+: For children 7 and older, with parental guidance for younger viewers.
    • U/A 13+: For viewers aged 13 and older.
    • U/A 16+: Suitable for teens 16 and older.
    • A: For adults only.

This feature ensures that your child doesn’t accidentally watch content meant for older audiences.

3. Blocking Specific Shows or Movies

Sometimes, even within the appropriate maturity rating, certain shows or movies may not align with your family’s values. Netflix allows you to block specific titles from appearing in your child’s profile.

How to Block Titles:

  • Access “Manage Profiles” and click on “Adjust Parental Controls.”
  • Under “Title Restrictions,” type in the name of the show or movie you want to block.
  • Click “Save.”

Now, those titles will no longer show up in your child’s recommendations or search results.

4. Adding a PIN to Lock Profiles

Worried about your child sneaking into your adult profile? You can lock your profile with a PIN to ensure your child stays within their kid-friendly space.

How to Add a PIN:

  • Go to “Manage Profiles” and select your profile.
  • Click on “Profile Lock” and enter your password.
  • Check the box to require a PIN, then create a 4-digit code.

This step prevents your child from accessing adult content without your permission.

5. Managing Autoplay and Screen Time

Netflix’s autoplay feature can lead to endless screen time for kids. Disabling autoplay helps reduce distractions and encourages a more intentional viewing experience.

How to Turn Off Autoplay:

  • In “Manage Profiles,” select your child’s profile.
  • Click on “Playback Settings” and uncheck the box labeled “Autoplay previews while browsing.”
  • Click “Save.”

This prevents videos from playing automatically and helps limit the time your child spends watching.

6. Monitoring Viewing History

Keeping an eye on what your child is watching is crucial for ensuring that all content aligns with your family’s values. Netflix lets you access the viewing history for each profile.

How to View History:

  • Go to “Manage Profiles” and select your child’s profile.
  • Click on “Viewing Activity” to see a list of all the shows and movies your child has watched.

Regularly reviewing this list helps you stay informed and take action if needed.

Important Tips

  • Keep your PIN secure and do not share it with your children.
  • Ensure that you log out of devices after use if your child has access to them, as they may be able to bypass restrictions if logged into an unrestricted profile.
  • If needed, you can always adjust settings as your children grow and their viewing needs change

Additional Tips for Enhanced Safety

7. Lead by Example

Discuss your own screen time habits with your child. Show them how to take breaks and balance screen time with other activities, like outdoor play or reading.

9. Set Ground Rules

Sit down with your child and agree on rules for using Netflix, such as:

  • No watching without asking first.
  • Clear limits on daily screen time.
  • Open discussions about what’s appropriate to watch.

10. Encourage Age-Appropriate Content

Explore Netflix’s wide selection of educational and family-friendly content. Watch shows together and use them as conversation starters about various topics.

Conclusion

Netflix parental controls are an essential tool for ensuring your child’s viewing experience is safe and age-appropriate. By setting up a kid-friendly profile, adjusting maturity ratings, and using features like PIN locks and viewing history, you can protect your child from inappropriate content and help them develop healthy viewing habits. Stay proactive and involved, and your child’s Netflix time can be both fun and safe!