Setting up parental controls on Netflix is one of the smartest moves you can make to ensure your kids are watching appropriate content. Let me walk you through exactly how to do this, and share some insider tips I’ve learned along the way.
Creating Individual Netflix Profiles
First things first – you’ll want to set up separate profiles for each family member. Think of this as giving everyone their own personal Netflix room. Head to Netflix.com, click “Manage Profiles,” and create individual profiles for each person who uses your account. This is crucial because parental controls work at the profile level, not the account level.
Setting Up Profile Restrictions
Here’s where the magic happens. For each kid’s profile:
1. Go to your Account settings
2. Scroll down to Profile & Parental Controls
3. Click the profile you want to manage
4. Select “Viewing Restrictions”
You can choose from several maturity levels:
– Kids (All ages)
– Older Kids (7+)
– Teens (13+)
– Adults (All maturity levels)
The PIN Protection Game-Changer
Here’s a pro tip that many parents miss: set up a PIN for your adult profile. I can’t tell you how many times kids have figured out they can just switch to their parents’ profile to watch whatever they want. By adding PIN protection, you’re essentially putting a lock on the door to the grown-up content.
Custom Settings for Different Ages
What I love about Netflix’s parental controls is how granular you can get. Let’s say you have a 10-year-old who’s mature for their age – you can actually set specific title ratings. Maybe you’re okay with PG-13 for some content but want to block R-rated movies. You can do that!
Additional Safety Features
Don’t forget about these helpful extras:
– Block specific titles you don’t want visible
– Review viewing history to see what your kids are watching
– Disable autoplay to have more control over screen time
– Hide entire shows or movies from appearing in search results
Maintaining Your Settings
Here’s something I learned the hard way – regularly check your settings. Netflix is constantly adding new content, and sometimes updates can affect your parental controls. I recommend doing a quick check every few months to ensure everything’s still set up the way you want it.
Remember, these controls aren’t just about restriction – they’re about creating a safe, age-appropriate viewing environment for your kids. And if you ever need to adjust them, you can always go back and make changes as your children grow and their maturity levels change.
