How to keep Netflix safe for your kids

Netflix comes with a set of controls called ‘Parental Controls’ that come with settings that enable parents to ensure that their kids watch only the right set of videos.

Netflix allows users to manage the types of TV shows and movies that people on their Netflix account can watch. (REUTERS)

Netflix is a platform that has something for everyone. From classics to cartoons and from originals to new releases, Netflix offers a trove of movies and TV shows not just to adults but also to kids. But not all of the shows and movies available on its platform are appropriate. Kids can easily stumble across videos that might be inappropriate for kids of a certain age group. Thankfully, the service has tons of features to ensure that kids watch content that their parents deem fit for them.

Netflix comes with a set of controls called ‘Parental Controls' that come with settings that enable parents to ensure that their kids watch only the right set of videos.

So, here are five tips for you to make Netflix viewing experience safe for your kids:

Create a profile with a specific maturity rating

Netflix allows users to manage the types of TV shows and movies that people on their Netflix account can watch. Users can create individual profiles with customized maturity ratings in their Netflix accounts.

Here how to do it: Go to your Manage Profiles page > Select Add Profile > Name the profile. To use the Netflix Kids experience, select Kids > select Continue. Here you see the list of profiles on your account and change the maturity rating of each one of them.

Block a movie or show

Netflix also enables users to block or unblock specific TV shows and movies from individual profiles. This means that parents can block shows or movies that they deem inappropriate to be watched by their kids.

Here's how to do it: From a web browser, go to your Account page > open the Profile & Parental Controls settings for the profile you want to manage > change the Viewing Restrictions setting > enter your Netflix password > under Title Restrictions, type the name of the TV show or movie and click on the title when it appears > select Save. TV shows and movies listed in red under Title Restrictions will be removed from that profile.

Lock your profile or other profiles on your account

Parents can also lock their profiles or other profiles in their accounts. Parents can restrict access to a specific profile on their account using the Lock PIN option.

Here's how to do it: From a web browser, go to your Account page > open the Profile & Parental Controls settings for the profile you want to lock > change the Profile Lock setting > enter your Netflix account password > check the box to Require a PIN to access the selected profile > enter four numbers to create your Profile Lock PIN > select Submit.

Turn autoplay on or off

Netflix has two autoplay features that parents can use to turn on or off for each profile on an account. Changes to autoplay settings, however, will be reflected across all devices.

Here's how to do it: from a web browser, go to your Account page > open the Profile & Parental Controls settings for the profile you want to manage > change the Playback settings > check or uncheck the option to Autoplay next episode in a series on all devices > select Save.

Access viewing history for a profile

Lastly, parents can also see the TV shows and movies that have been watched on each profile on their account.

Here's how to do it: From a web browser, go to your Account page > open the Profile & Parental Controls settings for the profile you want to see > open Viewing activity > if you see a limited list, use the Show More button.