Parents don’t need to be tech experts to keep kids away from adult content. But with dozens of shows and movies popping up overnight on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and others, it’s easy to miss what’s on the menu. The good news? Every major streaming service lets you lock down mature content - if you know where to look.
Netflix: Set Up Profiles and PINs
Netflix is the most popular streaming service for families, and it’s also one of the easiest to secure. Start by creating a separate profile for your kids. Go to the main profile menu, click "Add Profile," and choose "Kids" as the profile type. That automatically filters out anything rated TV-14 or higher.
Then, turn on a PIN. Go to Account > Parental Controls > Profile Lock. Set a 4-digit code. Now, anyone trying to switch to an adult profile or watch a restricted title will need that PIN. You can also set maturity level limits per profile - say, only allow TV-PG and below. That blocks everything from Stranger Things to The Last of Us without you having to manually hide each show.
Netflix remembers your settings across all devices. So if your child tries to watch something on their tablet or smart TV, the restriction still applies.
Disney+: Use the Kids Profile and Content Restrictions
Disney+ was built for families, so its parental controls are straightforward. When you set up a profile, you’ll see a "Kids" toggle. Turn it on, and the interface changes to show only kid-friendly titles. No more Deadpool or Star Wars: The Bad Batch accidentally showing up on the home screen.
To lock it further, go to Profile > Parental Controls > Content Rating. You can set it to "G," "PG," or "PG-13." Anything above that gets blocked. You’ll also need to set a 4-digit PIN. That PIN is required to change settings, watch restricted titles, or switch profiles.
Disney+ doesn’t let you block individual shows - only by rating. But since most mature content on Disney+ is under its Star section, turning off Star in the profile settings blocks it entirely. Go to Profile > Star Content and toggle it off. Now your kid won’t see anything from FX, 20th Century, or Searchlight.
Amazon Prime Video: Use Parental Controls and Content Lock
Amazon Prime Video’s interface is cluttered, but its controls are powerful. First, go to Your Account > Parental Controls. Here, you can set a 4-digit PIN and choose a maturity level: G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17. Pick the highest rating you’re comfortable with - say, PG-13 - and everything above gets blocked.
Next, enable "Content Lock." This locks the PIN to your entire account. Even if someone tries to watch a restricted title on a Fire TV, Roku, or phone, they’ll be asked for the PIN. You can also set different profiles for each family member. Just make sure adult profiles don’t have "Kids Mode" enabled.
Amazon lets you block individual titles too. Go to a show or movie page, scroll down, and click "Block This Title." It won’t disappear from the library, but it won’t show up in search or recommendations. You can unblock it later if needed.
Hulu: Set Up Profiles and PIN Protection
Hulu’s parental controls are hidden a little deeper. Start by creating a profile for your child. Go to Account > Profiles > Add Profile, and name it something like "Kids Only." Then, click "Edit" next to the profile and turn on "Child Profile." This locks the profile to TV-Y, TV-Y7, and some TV-PG content.
Now, go to Account > Parental Controls. Set a PIN and choose a maturity level. Hulu lets you block content above TV-14, R, or NC-17. Pick TV-14 if you want to allow shows like Grey’s Anatomy but block The Handmaid’s Tale.
Important: Hulu’s PIN protects the entire account. So if your teen tries to switch to your profile to watch something mature, they’ll need the PIN. You can also enable "Block Specific Titles" under Parental Controls - useful if you’ve seen one show that keeps popping up in recommendations.
Apple TV+: Simple, But Limited
Apple TV+ has fewer mature titles than other platforms, but it still has them. Go to Settings > Parental Controls on your Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad. Set a 4-digit PIN. Then, under "Content Restrictions," choose a rating limit: G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17.
Apple TV+ doesn’t have separate kid profiles like Netflix or Disney+. So if you want to restrict content, you’re locking it for everyone on that device. That’s fine if you’re the only one using it, but if multiple people share an Apple ID, you’ll need to use Screen Time instead.
On iPhones and iPads, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Movies and TV Shows. Set the limit there. It syncs across all Apple devices signed into that Apple ID. So even if your kid tries to watch on a friend’s iPad, the restriction follows.
YouTube: Use Restricted Mode and Supervised Accounts
YouTube isn’t a traditional streaming service, but it’s where kids watch tons of unedited content - including unlisted videos and remixes of adult shows. Start by turning on Restricted Mode. On a web browser, click your profile picture, then toggle "Restricted Mode" to On.
For better control, set up a supervised account through Google Family Link. Download the app, link your child’s Google account, and you’ll be able to approve or block channels, set daily time limits, and see what they’ve watched. You can also turn off comments and disable uploads.
YouTube Kids is a separate app, but it’s not perfect. It still shows ads and occasionally surfaces borderline content. Supervised accounts on the main YouTube app give you more control.
Paramount+ and Max: Similar Rules, Different Names
Paramount+ and Max (formerly HBO Max) follow the same pattern. Create a kid profile, set a PIN, and choose a maturity level. On Max, go to Profile > Parental Controls > Content Rating. You can block R-rated films and TV-MA shows.
Max has a "Adult Content" toggle under Profile Settings. Turn it off to hide all R and TV-MA titles from the interface. Paramount+ does the same under "Parental Controls" - set a PIN and choose a rating limit.
Both services let you block specific titles. Just open the show or movie, click the three dots, and select "Block This Title." It won’t vanish from the library, but it won’t appear in search or recommendations.
What About Smart TVs and Gaming Consoles?
Many parents think blocking content on the app is enough. But if your child uses a Roku, Fire TV, PlayStation, or Xbox, they can switch apps or access the web browser to find unblocked content.
Set up parental controls on the device itself. On a Roku, go to Settings > Parental Controls > PIN. On a PlayStation, go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management. On an Xbox, use Family Settings in the Microsoft account portal.
These device-level controls block not just streaming apps, but also web browsers, downloads, and purchases. It’s the only way to make sure your kid can’t sneak in adult content through the back door.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
Many parents think they’ve locked things down - until they find their 10-year-old watching Game of Thrones on a friend’s tablet. Here are the top three mistakes:
- Using the same PIN for everything. If your child knows your Netflix PIN, they’ll use it to unlock other apps. Use a different PIN for each service.
- Assuming kid profiles are foolproof. Some platforms let kids switch profiles if they know how. Always enable PIN protection on profile changes.
- Forgetting about secondary devices. A kid can watch adult content on a school Chromebook, a library computer, or a neighbor’s iPad. Use Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time to monitor activity across devices.
What to Do If Your Child Bypasses the Controls
Even the best systems can be hacked. Kids are resourceful. If you catch them watching something they shouldn’t, don’t panic. Use it as a teaching moment.
Ask them why they wanted to watch it. Talk about why some content isn’t for kids - not just because it’s "bad," but because it’s complex, violent, or emotionally heavy. Most kids don’t want to see adult content - they just want to feel grown-up.
Then, tighten the controls. Change all PINs. Disable guest access. Turn off profile switching. Re-enable device-level restrictions. And consider using a third-party parental control app like Qustodio or Bark for extra monitoring.
Final Tip: Talk to Your Kids
Technology can block content. But it can’t teach judgment. The best parental control isn’t a PIN - it’s a conversation. Sit down with your child. Show them how the settings work. Let them help pick which shows are okay. Make it a team effort.
When kids understand why limits exist, they’re less likely to break them. And when they know they can talk to you about what they see, they’ll come to you - not Google - when something confuses or scares them.
Can I block mature content on all devices at once?
Yes, but only if you use a family management system like Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time. These tools sync restrictions across all devices signed into the same account. Streaming app settings only work on that app. Device-level controls are the only way to lock down phones, tablets, TVs, and computers together.
Do I need to set up parental controls on every streaming service separately?
Yes. Each platform - Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon, etc. - has its own system. There’s no universal setting that applies to all. You’ll need to go into each app’s account settings and set up profiles, PINs, and maturity limits individually.
What if my child knows my PIN?
Change it immediately. Use a different PIN for each service so one breach doesn’t unlock everything. Also, avoid using birthdays, phone numbers, or simple codes like 1234. Pick something random that only you remember. Write it down and store it in a safe place.
Are there apps that monitor what my child watches?
Yes. Apps like Qustodio, Bark, and Net Nanny track screen time, alert you to inappropriate content, and even monitor search history and app usage. They work across Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Some even send weekly reports. These are useful if you’re worried about hidden access or if your child bypasses built-in controls.
Is it possible to block only specific shows without blocking entire ratings?
Yes, on most platforms. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and Paramount+ let you block individual titles. Look for the three-dot menu on a show or movie page and select "Block This Title." It won’t remove it from the library, but it will disappear from search results and recommendations. This is great for shows that are borderline or ones you’ve already seen and want to avoid.
