Smart TV & Streaming Safety
Configure parental controls on smart TVs and streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube.
Smart TV parental controls are often forgotten, yet children spend hours streaming content. Create separate kids profiles on each service, set PIN codes, and review BBFC age ratings. Remember that smart TVs themselves can access the internet - restrict app downloads and use network-level filtering.
UK Streaming Service Guides
Set Up Netflix Kids Profile
Create a safe, age-appropriate Netflix profile for your children with content filtering.
Steps:
- 1Sign in to Netflix and click your profile icon
- 2Select Manage Profiles
- 3Click Add Profile
- 4Enter child's name and check For Kids box
- 5Netflix uses maturity ratings (U, PG, 12, 15, 18) — set the appropriate level for your child's profile
- 6Go to Account > Profile & Parental Controls
- 7Select child's profile and set Viewing Restrictions
- 8Set a 4-digit PIN to prevent profile switching
Tip:
Netflix uses BBFC ratings in the UK. Set the maturity level to your child's age and enable PIN protection to prevent them switching to adult profiles.
Configure Disney+ Parental Controls
Set up age ratings and PIN codes on Disney+ to control what your children can watch.
Steps:
- 1Open Disney+ and go to your profile
- 2Select Edit Profiles
- 3Choose child's profile or create a new Kids profile
- 4Toggle on Kids Profile (shows only content rated age 7 and under)
- 5Or set specific Age Rating: 6+, 9+, 12+, 16+, or 18+
- 6Enable Profile PIN to require code for this profile
- 7Go to Account settings and set Parental Controls PIN
- 8This prevents children from changing parental control settings
Tip:
Kids profiles on Disney+ only show content rated age 7 and under, which includes most Disney, Pixar, and Marvel kids content. Use age ratings for older children.
Enable BBC iPlayer Parental Guidance
Set up parental controls on BBC iPlayer to filter content by age rating.
Steps:
- 1Sign in to BBC iPlayer with your BBC account
- 2Click your profile icon in the top right
- 3Select Settings
- 4Scroll to Parental Guidance settings
- 5Set age guidance level: No guidance, Guidance, More guidance
- 6More guidance hides content with higher age ratings
- 7Set a PIN to lock these settings
- 8PIN will be required to change parental guidance or watch age-restricted content
Tip:
BBC iPlayer uses UK TV age classifications (Universal, PG, 12, 15, 18). More Guidance hides everything above PG from the home screen.
Set Up Amazon Prime Video Parental Controls
Configure PIN protection and age restrictions on Prime Video.
Steps:
- 1Open Prime Video and go to Account & Settings
- 2Select Parental Controls
- 3Create a Prime Video PIN (4 or 5-digit PIN depending on your device)
- 4Choose viewing restrictions: Kids (U/PG), Teens (12/12A), Young Adults (15), or Adults (18)
- 5Enable Viewing Restrictions to require PIN for restricted content
- 6Turn on Purchase Restrictions to prevent rentals/purchases
- 7Consider creating a Kids profile in Amazon Household
- 8Test by trying to play an age-restricted title
Tip:
Prime Video uses BBFC ratings (U, PG, 12A/12, 15, 18) in the UK. Set viewing restrictions to your child's age and enable PIN requirement.
Enable YouTube Restricted Mode on Smart TV
Filter out potentially mature content on YouTube using Restricted Mode.
Steps:
- 1Open YouTube app on your smart TV
- 2Sign in to your Google Account
- 3Go to Settings (gear icon in sidebar)
- 4Scroll down and select Restricted Mode
- 5Toggle Restricted Mode to ON
- 6This filters out videos flagged as potentially mature
- 7Consider using YouTube Kids app instead for younger children
- 8Restricted Mode must be enabled on each device separately
Tip:
Restricted Mode uses automated systems and isn't 100% accurate. For children under 13, use YouTube Kids app instead, which has stricter filtering.
Lock Down Smart TV Settings
Prevent children from changing smart TV settings or downloading apps.
Steps:
- 1Access your smart TV settings menu
- 2Look for System, General, or Security settings
- 3Find Change PIN or System PIN settings
- 4Change default PIN (usually 0000 or 1234) to your own 4-digit code
- 5Enable App Installation Lock or App Store Lock
- 6Turn on Settings Lock to require PIN for system changes
- 7Disable Guest Mode or Retail Mode if available
- 8Review installed apps and remove any inappropriate ones
Tip:
Every TV brand has different menu names. Check your TV manual for parental control options. Samsung, LG, Sony all have PIN-protected parental controls.
Additional UK Streaming Safety Tips
Understand UK Age Ratings
Streaming services in the UK use BBFC ratings (U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18) for films and TV age classifications. Set parental controls to match your child's age.
Create Separate Profiles
Don't let children use your adult profile. Always create dedicated kids profiles with appropriate age restrictions and PIN protection.
Review Watch History
Most streaming services show viewing history. Check regularly to ensure your child isn't accessing inappropriate content through search or recommendations.
Use Time Limits
Smart TVs don't have built-in time limits. Use router-level controls or Circle Home Plus to schedule TV access times and enforce screen-free bedtimes.