How to Set Up Roku Parental Controls? – Creating an Account PIN, Removing Inappropriate Channels, and More

Allowing your children to enjoy shows on Roku is not a bad idea. But how do you make sure they’re watching the kid-friendly content when you’re not around?

I’ll tell you the answer, it’s setting up Roku parental controls. Let me guess, you’re wondering if there are any or what steps one should take.

Worry not, this write-up has got everything covered for you, from the options you have as parental controls to how to set them up. Read on!

Hey #Roku, some kind of parental controls or filter would be really appreciated.

— Clay Nichols (@daddyclay) February 10, 2011

Quick Answer To set up Roku parental controls, you can begin by creating a PIN, removing age-inappropriate channels, and hiding the purchase options.

Does Roku Have Parental Controls?

There’s no specific option for parental controls on Roku, but you can alter the settings and set a limit to age-inappropriate content. That said, let’s take a look at the options you have:

• Limit TV Programs: As a parent, you can limit the TV programs, unsuitable for children. Filter the programs according to their age rating, and they’ll not appear on the watch list.

• Block Access to Streaming Channels: You can only allow family-friendly streaming channels and remove the ones showing mature content. 

• Restrictions on Live TV: If you’re a resident of the United States or Canada, you can even block access to live TV on Roku as well.

Proceeding further, I’ll help you set these parental controls.

How to Set Parental Controls on Roku?

To make Roku safe for your children, you can take the following initiatives:

Creating a PIN should be the first thing to begin with. As you lock the Roku account using this PIN, your children won’t be able to add channels and make purchases from the Roku Store. Follow these steps:

• Log in to your Roku account.

• Click Update present under PIN preference.

  

• Create a 4-digit PIN and reenter it below. Then, set the pointer to the option ‘Always require a PIN to make purchases and add items from the Channel Store.’

  

• Now, scroll down, and under the Parental Controls for the Roku Channel, choose the account type for which you’ll be setting the PIN. You get Little kids, Young kids, or Teens as the options. Then, click Save Changes.

  

No one can make any purchases or add a channel without entering the Roku PIN number you set.

With Roku, you can remove any age-inappropriate channels showing mature or explicit content. Moreover, you can even add family-friendly channels. Here are the steps:

• Grab the Roku remote or install the Roku app on your phone.

• Now, navigate to the app you want to remove. In this case, let’s proceed with Max.

  

• Now, press the * button on the remote.

  

• Select ‘Remove app’ from the list of options.

  

• Now, select Remove to confirm the action.

  

This will remove the selected channel from Roku. Now, if someone wants to add the same channel back, they cannot do it without entering the PIN.

To prevent your kids from adding any entertainment stuff, you can simply hide Roku’s Movie Store and TV Store from the homepage. To do so:

• Go to Roku Settings and navigate to the Home Screen.

• Now, from the home screen settings, select the arrow present on the right.

• On the next page, choose Movie Store and TV Store, and then select Hide.

  

This option will not appear on the home screen now, but you can revert to ‘Show’ and it will be visible again.

How to Set Parental Controls on Roku TV?

Apart from the streaming platform Roku, you can even set parental controls on Roku TV. Moreover, it comes with a built-in feature that makes the setup easy to comprehend.

• From the home screen, open Settings.

  

• Now, open Parental Controls.

  

• Enter the PIN required.

  

• Turn on Parental Controls.

  

• Manage the TV Ratings and Movie Ratings below according to the rating categories suitable for your children.

  

Roku TV will now only show kid-friendly shows until you make further changes, and it is only possible after you enter the PIN.

Wrapping Up

No parent wants their kids to spend long hours in front of the TV screen. Whether it’s Roku or any other streaming platform, setting parental controls is always a considerable option to limit mature content and reduce screen time. 

With the built-in options available on Roku TV, you can simply ensure a safe streaming experience and keep yourself stress-free.

Gaurav Rathore