Richard C.
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Verified by
Inês P.
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Last updated:
July 22, 2024
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(0)
Netflix is by far the most popular streaming service in the world. In 2021 the service boasted over 200 million subscribers, with 73.9 million users based in the U.S. and Canada. That’s not surprising, because Netflix has made a habit of producing hit shows for all ages. When it comes to children, Netflix can become a little trickier, as not only is the service full of adult content that kids can easily access, but it’s also a huge distraction when it comes to focusing on schoolwork. With screen addiction also being a real issue among children, parents need tools to help keep kids safe while watching Netflix.
Most of us know Netflix for its gripping dramas and fascinating documentaries, but it’s also a great app for kids. There are lots of shows for younger children to enjoy, like YooHoo to the Rescue and Word Party. There’s great content for teenagers too, with shows such as The A List and Get Even, so no matter how old your children are they’ll find something they love. Netflix’s famous algorithms will also recommend other relevant shows, ensuring they’ll always have something entertaining to watch.
To help parents out, Netflix adds maturity ratings to all its shows going from TV-Y (for all children) up to TV-17, with a lot of different ratings in-between. This way, you can know exactly what shows your kids should be watching.
Netflix does offer some parental controls to restrict content. The first thing you can do is create separate profiles – if you’ve used Netflix before, you’ve probably done this already to enhance your own experience. But things are a little different when it comes to adding child profiles, as Netflix changes its layout to make it easier for kids to navigate. It also restricts what shows can be watched depending on the maturity ratings you selected. If you’re worried about your child simply switching to your profile to watch inappropriate content, then you can add a PIN code to stop them.
It must be mentioned that Netflix has been steadily improving its parental controls. Initially, children could easily swap from a kid’s profile to an adult one without any issues. Indeed, it used to be that Netflix would only let you choose between a ‘little kids’ and ‘older kids’ profile, with nothing in the middle. There’s still room for improvement though, as Netflix doesn’t give you the ability to limit screen time.
You don’t have to rely on Netflix’s parental controls though, and there are practical steps you can take instead. One key thing is to have a conversation with your kids about safe practices online. Tell them why it’s important not to spend too much time in front of a screen, and set up a schedule with them for when they can watch Netflix. It’s also a good idea not to leave young children unattended while watching Netflix, to make sure they aren’t watching something inappropriate.
For extra peace of mind, it’s best to invest in a parental control app. By using a dedicated parental control solution, you can know exactly how much time your child spends watching Netflix. The software also allows you to create strict schedules where the device locks after a set time has finished. With parental control software, you can be even stricter by blocking access to the Netflix app completely. Not only that, but these tools help with much more than just with Netflix, making sure your kids stay safe online all the time.
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