How to Set Up Parental Controls on YouTube, Netflix, and TikTok

The internet is packed with content—some educational, some fun, and some just plain inappropriate for kids. As a parent, it can feel overwhelming trying to make sure your child is seeing only what’s safe for their age. Thankfully, major platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and TikTok provide built-in parental control features to help you stay in charge. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to activate those settings, step-by-step.

1. YouTube Parental Controls 

YouTube is a favorite among kids, but it’s also full of unfiltered content. You have two solid options as a parent: YouTube Kids and Supervised YouTube Accounts.

Option A: YouTube Kids 

This is a safer, kid-friendly version of the regular YouTube app.

To set it up:

1. Download the YouTube Kids app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store

2. Open it and sign in with your Google account.

3. Create a profile for your child and input their age.

4. Choose the content level based on age group:

   • Preschool (ages 4 and under)

   • Younger (ages 5–8)

   • Older (ages 9–12)

5. You can also manually approve content by selecting the “Approved content only” option.

6. Lock the settings with a passcode to prevent unauthorized changes

Option B: Supervised Accounts 

If your child is too old for YouTube Kids but not quite ready for the full YouTube experience, supervised accounts are perfect.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Visit g.co/YourFamily and add your child’s Google account.

2. Use Google Family Link to supervise the account.

3. Choose the content filter level:

   • Explore (age 9+)

   • Explore More (age 13+)

   • Most of YouTube (excludes 18+ content)

4. You can monitor their viewing history and search activity from the Family Link app.

2. Netflix Parental Controls 

Netflix’s wide variety of shows and movies can be tricky for young viewers, but with a few tweaks, you can control what your kids watch.

Here’s what to do:

1. Log in to your account and click on Manage Profiles.

2. Select your child’s profile or create a new one.

3. Turn on the Kids Profile option. This limits content to age-appropriate titles.

4. Then go to Account > Profile & Parental Controls.

5. Under the child’s profile, click Viewing Restrictions and set the maturity rating:

   • Little Kids (TV-Y, G)

   • Older Kids (TV-Y7, PG)

   • Teens and above

6. Set a PIN lock on your own profile to stop kids from switching over.

 Pro tip: You can also turn off autoplay previews to avoid unexpected content.

3. TikTok Parental Controls 

TikTok is super popular, even with young users, which makes Family Pairing a must for concerned parents.

To set it up:

1. Open TikTok on your phone and your child’s phone.

2. Go to Profile > ☰ (Menu) > Settings and Privacy > Family Pairing.

3. Choose Parent on your phone and Teen on theirs.

4. Use your camera to scan the QR code shown on their device.

5. Once connected, you can:

   •  Set screen time limits

   •  Enable restricted mode to block mature content

   •  Control direct messages (or disable them entirely for users under 16)

   •  Disable search, comments, and downloads if needed

Also, make sure your child’s account is set to private, so only approved followers can interact with them.

Bonus: Use Device-Level Controls 

Beyond apps, your phone or tablet also lets you set parental controls system-wide:

• Android: Use Google Family Link to manage app installs, screen time, and location.

• iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Screen Time to set app limits, restrict content, and block explicit sites.

Final Thoughts 

Parental controls might take a few minutes to set up, but they can save you from a world of worry. These settings won’t replace open conversations with your kids about online safety, but they’re a great first line of defense.