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Netflix guidance for parents

Explore the safety settings for the Netflix streaming service to help keep children’s experiences positive.

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What is Netflix?

Netflix is a streaming service that features both adult and child-friendly content. It includes a range of movies and television shows both created by Netflix and other studios.

Families can create separate users for each member, which makes it easy to set age restrictions for children without impacting other family members.

Subscription types

In the United Kingdom, users can choose from the following subscription plans:

  • Standard with adverts: £4.99/month
  • Standard without adverts: £10.99/month
  • Premium: £17.99/month

Account holders can also add non-household members for an additional charge.

Things to consider

If your child uses Netflix to watch content, there are several things to consider to keep them safe.

Inappropriate content

Netflix has a range of content for different ages, including adults. So, without age restrictions or separate accounts, it’s easy for children to watch content inappropriate for them. This might include content featuring graphic violence, language or sex.

Passive screen time

If your child watches series on Netflix, it can be easy for one or two episodes to become a binge session. This is particularly true if you keep the autoplay feature on.

While not all screen time is ‘bad’, it’s important to encourage regular breaks. Also, consider introducing different types of content such as educational documentaries.

Some series become a popular topic of conversation on external platforms. Series like Squid Game or Bridgerton are a part of popular culture. However, they both have a BBFC rating of 15, which means children younger than that should not view them.

Additionally, some of these popular series find their way into other mediums. For example, both ZEPETO and Roblox have games based on Squid Game. While they might not include the same type of content, it could breed curiosity for children to want to watch the source content.

Netflix parental controls

With Netflix, parents can use the following settings to keep children’s streaming experience positive.

  • Create a child profile;
  • Set profile maturity ratings to limit exposure to inappropriate content;
  • Lock profiles and set PINs to avoid children accessing other profiles or changing settings;
  • Turn off autoplay for series and previews to manage screen time;
  • Review viewing history for your child’s profile.

Using parental controls alongside regular conversations can help you limit your child’s exposure to harmful risk.