How to Set Up Netflix Parental Controls in a Few Minutes

August 28, 2026 - 02:11

Netflix's "Who's watching?" screen can become a useful family boundary instead of a free-for-all, and setting it up takes only a few minutes. Whether you want to keep young kids away from mature titles or limit teens to specific ratings, the tools are built right into the app and website. Here is how to lock things down without pulling your hair out.

First, open Netflix on any device and go to your account profile. Click on the profile icon in the top right, then select "Account." From there, scroll down to "Profile & Parental Controls" and pick the profile you want to adjust. You will see an option called "Viewing Restrictions." Click "Change" and enter your account password. Now you can set a maturity rating level, from "Little Kids" all the way up to "Adults." Anything above that level gets hidden automatically.

For more precise control, you can also block specific titles. Under the same viewing restrictions menu, there is a field to enter the names of movies or shows you want to keep out. Just type them in, and they will not appear in that profile's search or browse rows.

Another handy feature is the profile PIN. If you have older kids who know their way around a remote, you can require a four-digit code to enter a profile or to play any title with a higher rating. Go back to "Profile & Parental Controls," choose "Profile Lock," and set a PIN. This stops kids from simply switching to another profile or bypassing the restrictions.

Finally, remember that these settings apply per profile, so you will need to repeat the steps for each child. It takes about two minutes per profile, and once done, you can relax knowing the family movie night stays age-appropriate. No need to hover over the screen every time someone picks a show.