Guide G.08 · Updated April 2026

Setting up smart TVs & streaming apps.

The TV has become another device. Kid profiles, PIN-locked adult profiles, and turning off autoplay will solve 90% of what parents worry about.

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Create kid profiles on every app — not one "family" profile. Recommendations, history, and content filters are all tied to the profile. Sharing one profile between kids and adults is why your 8-year-old keeps seeing R-rated trailers.

  1. Netflix: create a Kids profile

    Manage Profiles → Add Profile → Kid. Set the age to the youngest viewer. PIN-lock the adult profiles: Account → Profile Lock → PIN → On.

  2. Netflix: turn off Autoplay

    On a kid profile → Playback settings → Autoplay next episode → Off. Autoplay is the single biggest driver of "ten more minutes" turning into two hours.

  3. Disney+: set profile age

    Profile → Edit Profiles → Kid Profile. Content is filtered to G/PG by default. Set a PIN on adult profiles: Profile → Parental Controls → Profile PIN.

  4. YouTube on TV: switch to Kids

    The TV YouTube app has a separate YouTube Kids option. It's much safer than the main app. For older kids, use the main app with Restricted Mode → On and sign in with their supervised account.

  5. Amazon Prime Video: parental PIN

    Settings → Parental Controls → Prime Video PIN. Rating restrictions are set per device — repeat on each TV.

  6. Apple TV: Screen Time on tvOS

    Settings → General → Screen Time → Turn On Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions. tvOS uses the same Apple ID, so limits you set on an iPhone can sync here.

  7. Turn off voice assistants if unsure

    Many TVs are always-listening for voice commands. If that unsettles you, turn it off: Settings → Privacy → Voice. Nothing breaks.

  8. Disable in-app purchases at account level

    Most streaming account areas have a master "Require password for purchases" toggle. Turn it on.