Streaming services provide endless entertainment, which is great. Even so, parents struggle to make sure children only access age-appropriate content. With so many shows, movies, and apps available, it’s easy to feel concerned about what your child might accidentally come across. If you’re a Roku user, you may be wondering how to create a safer viewing experience without completely restricting access to entertainment.
Fortunately, Roku provides several parental control features that help you manage what your children can watch. In this guide, we will walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to set up parental controls on Roku. We’ll cover different ways to restrict content, including using Roku’s PIN system and managing third-party streaming apps.
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How Do Parental Controls Work on Roku?
Roku itself doesn’t have built-in parental controls for restricting specific content across all channels. However, you can control what your child watches in several ways:
Setting Up a Roku PIN
A Roku PIN is like a digital lock that prevents your kids (or anyone else) from making accidental purchases or adding new channels without permission. When you set up a PIN, Roku will ask for it anytime someone tries to rent or buy a movie, subscribe to a service, or add a new channel.
Managing Third-Party Streaming Services
Roku itself doesn’t control what’s inside apps like Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+, but the good news is that these apps have their own parental controls. For example, Netflix allows you to set up kid-friendly profiles that filter out mature content. YouTube has Restricted Mode, which blocks videos flagged as inappropriate.
Using the Roku Kids & Family Section
If you don’t want to micromanage every app, Roku has a Kids & Family section inside The Roku Channel, which only features kid-friendly content. This is a great way to let your little ones browse freely without worrying about them stumbling across anything inappropriate.
Let’s go over these methods in detail.
How to Set Up a Roku PIN to Restrict Purchases and Content
A Roku PIN (Personal Identification Number) helps prevent unauthorized purchases and restricts content based on ratings. Here’s how you can set it up:
Step 1: Log Into Your Roku Account
- Open a web browser on your phone or computer.
- Visit my.roku.com and sign in to your Roku account.
Step 2: Create or Update Your Roku PIN
- Scroll down to the PIN Preference section.
- Click on Update.
- Choose Always require a PIN to make purchases and add channels.
- Enter a four-digit PIN and confirm it.
- Click Save Changes.
Now, every time someone tries to add a new channel or make a purchase, Roku will prompt for the PIN, ensuring your kids don’t accidentally access paid or inappropriate content.
How to Block Unwanted Channels on Roku
Roku does not allow direct content blocking across all channels, but you can remove or hide channels from the home screen.
Step 1: Remove Channels Manually
- Go to the Roku home screen.
- Scroll through the list and highlight the channel you want to remove.
- Press the Star (*) button on your Roku remote.
- Select Remove channel and confirm.
Step 2: Hide the Movie and TV Store
- Go to Settings > Home Screen.
- Select Movie Store and TV Store.
- Choose Hide to remove these sections from the main screen.
This method prevents kids from easily accessing content you don’t want them to see.
How to Set Up Parental Controls on Netflix, YouTube, and Other Apps
Since Roku itself doesn’t have universal parental controls, you must set up restrictions within each streaming service. Here’s how:
Netflix
- Open Netflix on a browser.
- Click on your profile icon and go to Account.
- Scroll to Profile & Parental Controls.
- Select the child’s profile and set a maturity rating.
- Create a Profile Lock PIN if needed.
YouTube
- Open YouTube on Roku.
- Navigate to Settings > Restricted Mode.
- Enable it to block inappropriate content.
Disney+, Hulu, and Others
Most streaming services offer similar parental control settings. Go to the settings within each app and look for content restrictions, profile locks, or kid-friendly modes.
How to Enable Roku Kids & Family Section
If you want a safe browsing experience for your kids, Roku has a Kids & Family section, offering curated content without explicit material.
- Open The Roku Channel on your device.
- Scroll down to Kids & Family.
- Select a show or movie, knowing that content in this section is family-friendly.
FAQs About Roku Parental Controls
Can I Block Specific Shows or Movies on Roku?
No, Roku does not offer the ability to block individual shows or movies. However, you can use third-party streaming service parental controls.
Does Roku Have a Kid Mode?
Roku does not have a dedicated kid mode, but using Roku PINs and Kids & Family content can help create a safer viewing environment.
Can I Restrict Internet Access on Roku?
You cannot restrict internet access directly on Roku, but you can use router-based parental controls to block certain websites or streaming services.
In summary
While Roku does not offer extensive parental controls like some other streaming devices, you can still create a safe environment for your children by setting up a PIN, managing streaming app settings, and using Roku’s Kids & Family section. Even with limited features, these controls offer a significant advantage: they provide a layer of protection against accidental exposure to inappropriate content, giving parents peace of mind.
Without the right safeguards, it’s easy for young viewers to stumble upon content that isn’t suitable for their age. Technology is constantly evolving, and so are the ways children consume media, making it important for parents to stay proactive in monitoring and managing their digital experiences.
