One of today’s top streaming services, Roku offers a wide variety of movies, shows, and channels to choose from. While most content is suitable for all ages, there may be some that you don’t want your children to access. For those parents who worry about what their kids are watching, Roku offers an easy way to set up parental controls.
When you know you’re in charge of what your children watch, you can be sure that they are safe and secure. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about setting up parental controls for your Roku device. With the right information, you can keep your family secure and safe while enjoying the benefits of streaming!
What is Roku?
Roku is a streaming device used to watch online content on your television. It is one of the most popular streaming platforms for TV, providing access to over 500,000 movies and TV shows from major networks and streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and many more. With Roku, you can also access thousands of free and paid channels from around the world.
First released in 2008, Roku has quickly become one of the most popular streaming devices on the market. It is easy to set up and use, with an intuitive user interface that makes streaming your favorite shows and movies a breeze.
The first iteration of Roku included a box-style device that connected to your television with cables, but over the years, Roku has released several other products, including Roku Streaming Stick and Roku TV. Roku has even begun creating and streaming its own content, making it even more attractive as an entertainment option.
Is Roku Dangerous for Children?
When it comes to streaming content, parents must be aware that some material may not be suitable for younger viewers. This is why Roku offers various parental control options to help monitor and restrict access to specific channels and content.
While Roku doesn’t have an internet browser or any other features that could be used to access inappropriate content, its vast library of movies and TV shows may include some mature titles. As such, it is important for parents to set up parental controls on their Roku devices as soon as possible.
There are a variety of reasons that children should not be allowed to access certain content. It may contain violence, sexual themes, inappropriate language, and more. By blocking these channels or shows with parental controls, you can keep your children safe when they are streaming online.
Does Roku Offer Parental Controls?
A common question many parents have when considering Roku is whether or not it offers parental controls. The answer is yes! Roku has several options for parental controls that you can use to customize and restrict access to certain content on your device.
Roku offers several features to help you control the content your children watch. These include:
- Setting up a variety of restrictions on playback based on the ratings of content within the Roku Channel
- Reduce access to live TV access through the Roku TV system
- Set different parental controls for other apps built into the device
- Limit the purchasing or renting of movies and shows through Roku
Depending on the model of your Roku device, you may also be able to set up a PIN code that will prevent anyone from purchasing content without the code.
How to Set Up Parental Controls on Roku
Setting up parental controls on your Roku device is easy and straightforward, depending on your goals. Let’s take a look at each of the options to help you decide which one is right for your family. Most settings will involve setting a PIN code for the account that can be changed anytime.
1. Limiting Access To Roku Channel Content
The Roku Channel, Roku’s streaming service, allows you to restrict access to content based on its rating. To do this, open the Settings menu in the channel and select “Parental Controls.” You will have the option to set a PIN for purchases or rentals and also limit playback by rating.
There is a hierarchy of ratings, ranging from “G” (General Audiences) all the way up to “NC-17,” with dozens of other ratings in between. You can choose which rating you want to restrict your children from viewing, and the Roku Channel will not allow them access to any content above that rating.
To limit access to all content, you can select “All Audiences” as your rating. This will block your children from accessing any content on the Roku Channel. Or, if you want to be more specific, you can select the lowest rating you feel comfortable with, such as “PG-13,” and only allow content up to that level.
2. Limiting Live TV Access on Roku TV
Roku TVs also offer a feature called “Live TV Access.” This service allows viewers access to all available live television channels via a satellite or cable connection. However, limiting the channels available with this service and tailoring them specifically for your children is possible.
In order to access the parental controls for your Roku TV, you’ll want to navigate to the “Home” setting within the main menu and then select “Settings” from within the “Accessibility” section. From there, you can select “Parental Controls” and then “Live TV Access.” Here, you can set a PIN for your device and then select the channels that you want to allow or restrict.
Once you have set your parental controls, you can be sure your children will only have access to the content you deem suitable. You may wish to reset the PIN from time to time just to be extra safe. Similarly, you may want to reanalyze the available channels and adjust the restrictions as necessary.
3. Limiting App Purchases and Rental Access on Roku
Roku also offers parental controls for app purchases and rentals. This will allow you to prevent your children from accessing inappropriate content, regardless of its rating. To set up these parental controls, open the Settings menu and select “Parental Controls” in the same way as we did above.
From here, you can set up a PIN and restrict access to purchases or rentals of movies and shows. When these restrictions are enabled, Roku will prompt you for your PIN each time an app attempts to purchase or rent content from the store. This is a great way to ensure that your children are not accessing inappropriate or otherwise unsuitable content.
What About Other Apps on My Roku Device?
One of the main benefits of using a Roku device is that it allows you to access a wide range of apps and services, some of which are not available on other streaming platforms. However, many of these apps do not offer their own parental controls, leaving it up to you to ensure that your children are safe.
Regarding apps such as Netflix and YouTube, you can always set up login information exclusive to your children. This will allow them access to the content that you have decided is suitable for their age while preventing them from accessing other material.
Similarly, Disney+ and Hulu offer their own parental controls, which you can use to restrict access to content. Check out our other guides to walk through different parental control options for these services.
Tips to Help Keep Your Kids Safe Online
In addition to the parental control options listed above, there are many other ways that you can keep your children safe online. Here are some of our top tips:
1. Educate yourself and your children about online safety.
One of the primary ways to protect your kids from any potential harm is by teaching them about the dangers of the internet. Take the time to explain good online etiquette and inform them of any risks that may be present when browsing on their own. When you can create a dialogue and ensure that your children understand the importance of keeping themselves safe, you can be sure that they are in a better position to navigate the internet confidently.
2. Install parental control software on all devices used by your family.
Using dedicated parental control software is a great way to safeguard your children from accessing inappropriate content. You can use software such as Net Nanny or Norton Family to block certain websites and monitor the activity of your kids on their devices.
3. Keep an eye on your child’s online activities.
While parental controls are a great way to keep your kids safe, it is always a good idea to monitor their online activities whenever possible. Take the time to talk with your child about their online experiences, and ensure that they are aware of any potential risks when using the internet.
Taking these steps can help keep your children safe from inappropriate content on their Roku TV. When you can set up parental controls and other safety measures, you can be sure that your kids will be able to enjoy their favorite shows and movies in a safe environment.
Stay Safe On Your Devices with Kidslox
Roku offers a great range of features for parents who want to keep their children safe while streaming. With the right level of parental controls and other safety measures, you can ensure that your kids are not accessing any inappropriate content on their Roku TV. Make sure to follow the tips outlined above and take advantage of the parental control options available on your device in order to keep your children safe online.
If you are looking for ways to keep all of your family’s devices safe from harmful content, Kidslox can help. Kidslox is a comprehensive parental control app that allows you to monitor, manage and secure the activity on all of your family’s devices in one place. With Kidslox, you will be able to protect your children from inappropriate content with ease.
Keep your family safe online with Kidslox and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your kids are protected on all their devices. Learn more about our parental control solutions and how Kidslox can help keep your family safe online!
