Parental Controls

Parental controls on streaming services let parents and carers decide what their children can watch, filtering out content that is not suitable for their age. Here is what the feature does and why it matters for UK households.

What parental controls do

Parental controls fall into several practical categories. Content filters block programmes and films above a chosen age rating. PIN protection stops children switching to an adult profile or unlocking restricted titles. Dedicated children's profiles show only age-appropriate content from the outset. Some platforms also let you block specific titles by name, regardless of their rating.

How UK streaming services handle it

Most major UK streaming platforms use the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) rating system - U, PG, 12, 15, and 18 - to label content. Services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV partner with the BBFC to apply these ratings. BBC iPlayer, ITVX, All 4, and My5 each have their own parental lock systems tied to similar guidance ratings.

On Netflix, you can create a dedicated Kids profile for children aged 12 and under, which only shows content selected for that age group and blocks access to account settings. You can also set a maturity rating ceiling on any profile - choosing, say, 12 will allow only content rated 12 and below - and add a four-digit PIN so children cannot switch to a parent's profile. You can also block individual titles by name.

On BBC iPlayer, a Parental Guidance (PG) lock requires a PIN before any content carrying a guidance label will play. You can also create a child account for under-13s, which limits viewing to CBeebies and CBBC content. One important detail: the PG lock is device-specific, so you need to set it up separately on each device and browser your child uses.

For All 4, you can PIN-protect programmes rated 16 or above. ITVX lets you PIN-protect content with a guidance rating. My5 and UKTV Play offer similar PIN-based restrictions at different rating thresholds.

The regulatory backdrop

In the UK, Ofcom mandates that broadcasters apply content ratings, and the Online Safety Act 2023 places child safety duties on online platforms. Ofcom's Protection of Children Codes came into full effect in July 2025, requiring services to assess risks by age group and put safeguards in place. UK ISPs are also required to offer free parental control tools to all customers, with no extra charge.

A few practical tips

Parental controls are not a single switch - each streaming platform needs to be set up individually. Controls set on a laptop do not automatically carry over to a smart TV or mobile app, so check every device your child uses. Age ratings are a useful guide, but watching something new alongside your child first is always a good idea. As children grow older, it is worth revisiting the settings to make sure they still fit.