Absolute Streaming Services / Article • Mar '24 • Marco Insa

Setting Up Parental Controls on Streaming Services

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Parental controls are tools that allow parents to restrict the type of content their children can access. These controls can be adjusted based on age-appropriateness, time limits, and even specific content types. Setting up these controls ensures that your children have access to suitable content only.

Why Parental Controls Matter

Children today have unprecedented access to a wide range of media. According to a report by Common Sense Media, children ages 8-12 spend an average of nearly five hours per day on screens, while teens spend about seven and a half hours. Given this extensive screen time, it's important for parents to monitor and control what their children are watching.

Setting Up Parental Controls on Netflix

Netflix offers robust parental control features that can be tailored to different age groups.

       
  • Create a Kids Profile: Create separate profiles for your children to manage content based on their age group.
    •    
  • Set Maturity Ratings: Set the maturity level within each profile to restrict access to inappropriate content.
    •    
  • PIN Protection: Enable PIN protection for adult profiles to prevent children from accessing them.

Here’s a quick guide on how to set up these features:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
StepAction
1Go to Account Settings.
2Select 'Parental Controls'.
3Create a PIN.
4Set maturity levels for each profile.
5Create separate profiles for kids.

For more detailed instructions, visit the official Netflix support page at Netflix Help Center.

Setting Up Parental Controls on Disney+

Disney+ is another popular streaming service that provides extensive parental control options.

       
  • Create Kids Profiles: Create profiles specifically for children.
    •    
  • Content Ratings: Set content ratings within each profile to ensure age-appropriate viewing.
    •    
  • Profile PINs: Protect adult profiles with a PIN code.

To set these controls:

       
  1. Open Disney+ and navigate to 'Edit Profiles'.
    2.    
  2. Select the profile you want to modify.
    3.    
  3. Toggle 'Kids Profile' on or off and set content ratings as needed.
    4.    
  4. Create a profile PIN for added security.

For more information, check out the Disney+ help page at Disney+ Help Center.

Setting Up Parental Controls on Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video offers several ways to manage what your children can watch.

       
  • Set Viewing Restrictions: Adjust viewing restrictions based on the age of the viewer.
    •    
  • PIN Protection: Use PIN protection for purchases and restricted content.
    •    
  • Create Separate Profiles: Set up individual profiles with tailored restrictions.

To implement these settings:

       
  1. Go to Account & Settings from the Prime Video home page.
    2.    
  2. Select 'Parental Controls'.
    3.    
  3. Create or update your Prime Video PIN.
    4.    
  4. Select the ratings categories you want restricted in each profile.

For step-by-step guidance, visit Amazon's support page at Amazon Help Center.

Setting Up Parental Controls on YouTube

YouTube is widely used by children but also contains vast amounts of unsuitable content. To manage this:

       
  • YouTube Kids App: This is designed specifically for younger viewers with built-in parental controls.
    •    
  • Restricted Mode: Enable Restricted Mode in regular YouTube settings to filter out potentially mature content.
    •    
  • Supervised Experience: Create supervised accounts with specific restrictions and monitoring capabilities.

To enable these features:

       
  1. Open YouTube and go to Settings.
    2.    
  2. Select 'General', then 'Restricted Mode'.
    3.    
  3. Create supervised accounts via Google Family Link if needed.

Detailed instructions can be found at Google's support page at YouTube Help Center.

A Practical Approach: Consistency and Communication

Setting up parental controls is just one part of the solution. It's equally important to communicate with your children about why these measures are in place. Encourage them to talk about what they watch and be open about any concerns they might have. Consistency in applying rules across different platforms will help reinforce the boundaries you're setting.

The Takeaway

In today’s media-rich environment, managing what your children watch might seem daunting, but it’s entirely manageable with the right tools and knowledge. Using the parental control features provided by major streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube can make a significant difference in ensuring safe and appropriate viewing experiences for your family. By taking proactive steps now, you can foster a healthier relationship between your children and digital media while ensuring they stay within safe boundaries.

For further reading on safe media practices for children, visit resources like Common Sense Media at Common Sense Media. Ensuring your children's online safety is not just about setting restrictions but also about engaging with them in meaningful conversations about responsible media consumption.

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