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. 🌈