How to Use Netflix Parental Controls

Prevent your kids from viewing inappropriate content

Netflix is a great for the whole family, but you might not want your kids to have access to everything. Here's how to set parental controls on Netflix so your little ones (and not so little ones) only see what's age-appropriate for them. 

You need to complete these steps via your web browser. You can't change Netflix parental settings via the Netflix app.

How to Create a New Netflix Profile

If you only have one Netflix profile set up, you're missing out. It's useful to have multiple profiles so that other members of the family can watch shows and enjoy their own recommendations, without your tastes getting in the way of what they're watching.

For families, a new profile is the quickest way to set up basic parental controls. Here's what to do.

  1. On your web browser, go to https://www.netflix.com/ and log in. 

  2. Click Add Profile.

    Netflix Add Profile dialog
  3. Enter a name for the new profile.

  4. Click the designated age group you require on Show content for.

    Picking an age restriction for Netflix

    If you choose Kids, the viewing restrictions are automatically set to PG or under. If you choose Teens, content is set to 12 and below.

  5. Click Continue.

    Netflix Add Profile dialog with Continue highlighted
  6. You've successfully created a new profile on Netflix.

How to Adjust the Age Rating on Netflix Parental Controls

The default settings for age groups on Netflix are useful, but you can adjust the age requirement more specifically on individual profiles. Here's what to do.

  1. Log into Netflix via your web browser at https://www.netflix.com/

  2. Hover your cursor over the account thumbnail.

  3. Click Account.

    Netflix open in a web browser with Account highlighted
  4. Scroll down to Profile & Parental Controls.

  5. Click the profile you want to edit.

    Netflix account details with profiles highlighted
  6. Click Change next to Viewing Restrictions.

    Netflix profile with Viewing Restrictions highlighted
  7. Enter your password.

  8. Click Continue.

    Netflix viewing restrictions window with password details required
  9. Choose the Age Rating you want to limit the profile to.

    Netflix viewing restrictions with profile maturity ratings highlighted
  10. Scroll down and click Save.

How to Place a Profile Lock on Netflix

If you're limiting access to specific profiles such as your child's, you don't want them to be able to circumvent it by switching to another profile. Here's how to add a PIN to your profiles so that access is restricted to only those users who know the 4 digit code.

  1. Log into Netflix via your web browser at https://www.netflix.com/

  2. Hover your cursor over the account thumbnail.

  3. Click Account.

    Netflix home screen with Account highlighted
  4. Scroll down to Profile & Parental Controls.

  5. Click the profile you want to edit.

  6. Click Change next to Profile Lock.

    Netflix with Profile Lock highlighted for a specific profile
  7. Enter your password, then click Continue.

    Netflix with profile lock password details highlighted
  8. Click the Require a PIN to access profile box to enable it.

    Netflix profile lock dialog with the button for activating a PIN highlighted
  9. Enter a 4 digit PIN code.

  10. Click Save.

How to Block a Show on Netflix

If you only want to limit access to one or a couple of specific shows or movies, it's possible to block access to that title. Here's how to do it.

  1. Log into Netflix via your web browser at https://www.netflix.com/

  2. Hover your cursor over the account thumbnail.

  3. Click Account.

    Netflix home screen with Account highlighted
  4. Scroll down to Profile & Parental Controls.

  5. Click the profile you want to edit.

  6. Click Change next to Viewing Restrictions.

    Netflix profile page with Viewing Restrictions highlighted
  7. Enter your password, then click Continue.

  8. Scroll down to Title Restrictions.

  9. Enter the name of the show or film name you want to restrict.

    Netflix dialog with the option for restricting specific titles highlighted

    Netflix autocompletes most suggestions so you can enter the start of a title and pick from a list.

  10. Click Save. The profile will now no longer show the specific programs or movies you've restricted. 

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