Netflix Parental Controls: Everything You Need to Know

Netflix makes it relatively easy for parents to control what their kids can watch — but most people miss the most important step: you have to set it up from a browser, not the TV or phone app.

While some viewing restriction settings are available from the app, you can find more options when you log in from a browser.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Netflix’s parental controls, where to find them, and how to set them up.

You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself scouring the account settings from your phone or mobile app, only to find yourself disappointed at the lack of options. However, Netflix has a reason for that: Restricting parental controls to the browser adds an extra layer of safety to prevent kids from trying to change settings themselves.

Most kids are watching Netflix on their iPads, tablets, phones, or TVs, and kids are more likely to stumble across account settings on the devices they use every day.

Log in to Netflix via your browser to manage these controls:

• Set maturity ratings for each profile
• Block specific titles
• Lock accounts with a PIN
• Change the autoplay settings
• Create or change an existing profile in ‘Kids’ mode (generally for 12 and under)
• See the watch history on each account based on rating

Of course, there are quite a few changes you can make on your TV or phone, but they are more limited.

What can you adjust in the Netflix app? You can find parental controls on the app by clicking ‘Manage Profiles’ and following it to ‘Viewing Restrictions' and ‘Profile Lock’.

These sections allow you to set maturity ratings, block titles, and lock profiles with a PIN. On a browser, you will see a more detailed breakdown, but the app is just as effective for this feature.

Because the Netflix app is designed for any internet-connected hardware you use to stream, like TVs, tablets, and gaming consoles, it only displays a few account settings. If you decide to adjust your settings via browser, don’t worry — it’s pretty simple!

Once you log into your account, select ‘Manage Profiles,’ and then click on the profile you want to adjust. From here, you can access ‘Parental Controls’ and ‘Edit Settings,’ which will allow you to lock profiles with a PIN, block specific titles, adjust maturity ratings, and view the watch history.

You've got a few settings that will do the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping content safe for your household:

• Set maturity rating allowances: Netflix lets you set a maximum rating for every profile — keep your 5-year-old to G, your teenager to TV-14, and your own profile at R or NC-17. Ratings range from TV-Y to NC-17.
• Lock profiles with a PIN: Kids these days are savvy, so Netflix lets you lock individual profiles with a custom PIN. This prevents them from accessing profiles with higher rating allowances or adjusting any parental controls you've set.
• Block specific titles: If ratings aren't precise enough, title blocking lets you remove individual shows or movies from all profiles entirely.

Between these three features, you can get pretty granular about what's available to whom on your account.

I’m a frequent flyer in the Netflix account settings section, and I’ve got my system down to a science:

1. Set my parental controls in the browser.
2. Confirm on my mobile app that everything was saved.
3. Refresh the app on my TV.
4. Test the settings on each profile to make sure they’re working.
5. Revisit my settings every few months.

Can you switch profiles? Search for a movie that you individually blocked? How about watching a show that’s rated higher than the allowances? If all of these look good, you’re in the clear.

Make sure to choose a PIN that your kids won’t guess. Don’t use their birthdays, your anniversary, or the house code. Steer clear of saving your passwords on shared devices and keep them to yourself.

For more help in troubleshooting your Netflix account, view our other resources at Reviews.org.