Updated: January 2021
We love watching movies whenever we want! The Protect Young Eyes Team wants to show you how to enjoy these services through whatever streaming device you own, while also removing the junk.
Apple TV Parental Control Set-up
Apple TV streaming device parental controls are called Restrictions and are governed by a 4-digit pin. For iPhone users who have used Screen Time, this will sound familiar. Follow these steps:
- Using the Apple TV remote, select the Settings app at the bottom of the Home Screen.
- In the Settings Menu, select General from the list of options shown.
- In the General Menu, select Restrictions from the list of options shown.
- In the Restrictions Menu, select Restrictions to turn it on, and then enter a 4-digit PIN (passcode). Re-enter those numbers once more to confirm, then select OK to continue (don’t forget this number!).
- Within this same Restrictions Menu are options to customize access to multiple features, including purchases, movies, apps, music, podcasts, ratings, and more. It’s worth the time to click through them all and set the desired preferences.
Separately, parents will want to set parental controls on third-party channels accessed through the Apple TV. The channels below are simply using the Apple TV as another exit point for their content. Therefore it’s entirely up to parents to ensure the accounts on each of these streaming services is set up appropriately.
- Netflix: How do I set parental controls on my Netflix account?
- Amazon: How do I set Amazon Video Parental Controls?
- Hulu: Does Hulu have parental controls?
- VUDU: Does VUDU have parental controls?
- Sling TV: How do I activate parental controls?
- HBO GO: How do I use parental controls with HBO GO?
- YouTube: Make sure Restricted Mode is set at the router level. Your router is the most important digital device in your home!
Roku Parental Controls
We’ve already created a highly-utilized Roku parental controls write-up (used by >1,o00 people weekly).
Chromecast Parental Controls
Chromecast doesn’t have parental controls because it doesn’t need them. It’s just an HDMI adapter that lets you stream computer content directly to your TV wirelessly. This means you’ll need to set parental controls at the operating system level of whatever type of computer you’re using and at the account level for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and others.
Links to streaming services like Netflix are above under Apple TV. Links to operating system parental controls and a few other streaming services you might watch are here:
- Windows (PC) parental controls
- MacBooks parental controls
- Chromebook parental controls
- Disney + Parental Controls
Amazon Fire TV Parental Controls
Before you can configure parental controls from Amazon Fire devices (Stick, TV, Phone), you’ll need to establish a 5-digit, Amazon Video pin. Follow these steps:
- Log into your Amazon account through a web browser (or Amazon Video app for Android/iOS).
- Select Your Account and then Video Settings (underneath the Digital Content and Devices section).
- You may be prompted to re-enter login information and/or input a security code (if two-step verification is enabled for the account) before proceeding to the Amazon Video Settings page.
- On the Amazon Video Settings page, scroll down to the section for Parental Controls, enter a 5-digit number to create the PIN, and select the Save button to set it. You can also choose to reset the PIN from this same page.
- Underneath Parental Controls is the option to enable/disable Purchase Restrictions. Turn this on (on each Fire device) if you want video purchases to require the 5-digit PIN.
- Underneath Purchase Restrictions is the option to set Viewing Restrictions. Adjust the slider to set the rating categories restrictions for videos (a lock symbol will appear for the content requiring the PIN to watch). These settings can be applied to all or some of the devices associated with the Amazon account by selecting the appropriate checkboxes that appear. Select Save when finished.
Now that you’ve set the Amazon Video PIN, you can turn on and manage parental controls on Fire TV devices. The action below will have to be performed on each Fire device that you own.
- Using the Fire TV remote, select Settings from the top menu. Scroll through the options and click on Preferences (center button). You should be prompted to enter your 5-digit PIN.
- In Preferences, click on Parental Controls to view the settings you can change.
- Select to toggle on/off: Parental Controls, Purchase Protection, App Launches, and Prime Photos.
- Select Viewing Restrictions to show the rating categories of Amazon Video content (categories include: general, family, teen, mature). Checkmarks indicate that videos of those categories are available to watch without restrictions. Uncheck the categories (the icon should now show a lock symbol) that you want to have restricted by the Amazon Video 5-digit PIN.
After you’ve mastered parental controls for your streaming device, then it’s time for popcorn, soda, and time with family!
Now What? Have you Heard of Protect?
We built the Protect App at PYE because we knew that some parents are too busy for long blog posts and are overwhelmed with the idea of keeping their kids safe online. The mini-lessons and easy-to-read panels in Protect were built with busy, awesome, intentional parents like you in mind! Download it for free today!
*There may be affiliate links throughout this post because we’ve tested and trust a small list of parental control solutions. Our work saves you time! If you decide that you agree with us, then we may earn a small commission, which does nothing to your price. Enjoy!
I love life. Seriously! Each. Day. A. Gift. Former CPA, business advisor, youth pastor, development director. Manage marketing efforts for Covenant Eyes and CEO of PYE. God shares wild ideas with me about life while I run. I have a relentless drive to help families use technology well.