Netflix Safety Guide: What Parents Need to Know

Why Netflix Viewing Habits Matter for Children’s Safety

• Understand how Netflix is actually used by children today, so you can make informed decisions about what your child watches and how they access content
• Recognize potential risks like exposure to mature content, autoplay habits, and recommendations that may lead kids to videos beyond their age level
• Learn how profiles, parental controls, and viewing settings work, so you can better manage what your child is seeing and when they are watching
• Identify how binge-watching habits can form and how screen time can impact sleep, attention, and daily routines if left unchecked
• Gain practical strategies to guide safer streaming habits at home, helping you stay involved without needing to fully restrict the platform

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Streaming Smartly: What Parents Should Know About Netflix

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Before Hitting Play, Why Netflix Deserves a Second Look from Parents

• Netflix is a paid streaming service that offers shows, movies, documentaries, etc., on an internet-connected device
• There are mobile games available to play with adult profiles on Netflix
• A single Netflix account can support up to five profiles per household. Each profile comes with its own watch history, personalized recommendations, and maturity settings
• Netflix offers a few options for parents to customize accounts for their children

Netflix Safety Concerns Parents Can’t Ignore

• Kids can easily access inappropriate content through Netflix, especially if parental controls are not set up
• If kids are using an adult’s viewing profile, they could be offered inappropriate shows based on the watch history
• With Netflix available on all internet-connected devices, it could be easy for kids or teens to watch Netflix at any time of the day, including at night, disrupting their sleep
• With an adult profile, kids could be prompted to play mature mobile games through the Netflix app

4 Steps Parents Can Take to Create Safer Netflix Viewing

1. Add a PIN code to adult profiles to protect kids from viewing inappropriate content
2. Set up “Kid” profiles for any children under 12 who will have access to Netflix
   
   • Kid profiles only show titles rated TV-PG and below
   • Parents can also turn off “Autoplay Next Episode”
3. Set up teen profiles for any teenagers with access to a Netflix account
   • Parents can set a “Maturity Rating” for each profile from TV-Y to NC-17
   • Parents can also turn off “Autoplay Next Episode” to reduce potential binge-watching
4. Set app time limits through device parental controls, such as Apple Screen Time or Android Digital Well Being

Why Setting Netflix Restrictions Can Help Reduce Exposure to Inappropriate Content

• Netflix offers limited parental controls to try and make viewing Netflix safer for families
• Parents should consider setting up individual, password-protected profiles for each family member, or at least by age group (kids, teens, parents, etc.) 
• To access parental controls, open the Netflix app
  
  • From the home screen, tap the plus sign to “Add” a profile
  • After naming a new profile, tap “Edit” and then the profile that you want to adjust
  • Scroll to “View Restrictions” and select a Maturity Rating appropriate for your child
  • Scroll down and set up a “Profile Lock,” which is a 4-digit PIN for you and your child to know.  This will help keep younger children out of older kids’ accounts
  • Consider turning off “Autoplay Next Episode” and “Autoplay Previews”
  • Parents will need their Netflix password to set these restrictions

More resources for parents, students, & educators

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Conclusion

While Netflix is a safe and convenient way to keep kids entertained or enjoy a family movie night, it can also be a gateway to content that’s not age-appropriate. Without the right settings in place, young viewers can easily stumble onto mature shows, binge-watch late into the night, or even access mobile games through an adult profile. This guide will help parents understand the top concerns with Netflix and how to set restrictions to limit what your children are watching.

Netflix can be a great source of entertainment and even education for kids, but only if parents take the time to set boundaries and use the available tools. By creating separate profiles, setting maturity ratings, and adding PIN protections, parents can guide their child’s viewing experience and help prevent exposure to inappropriate content. It’s also a good idea to check in regularly, adjust settings as your child grows, and keep an open conversation about what they’re watching. With a few simple steps, you can make Netflix a safer space for your family.