As a parent, you want to closely monitor what your children are watching on streaming services like Netflix. While Netflix offers many high-quality shows and movies for families, it also includes content that may be inappropriate for young viewers. Choosing age-appropriate content for your kids is an important part of being a responsible parent in the digital age.
Why monitor Netflix usage?
There are a few key reasons why parents should pay close attention to what their kids are viewing on Netflix and other streaming platforms:
- Exposure to adult content like violence, language, nudity, etc.
- Shows modeling inappropriate behavior
- Possibility of accessing content not suitable for their age
- Risk of too much screen time
Setting some ground rules and having open conversations with your children about media consumption is vital.
What content should parents restrict on Netflix?
Here are some types of shows and movies that parents may want to avoid letting their children view on Netflix:
- Graphic horror or violence: Shows depicting intense violence, gore, torture, etc.
- Sex and nudity: Shows featuring gratuitous nudity, simulated sex, erotica, etc.
- Mature language: Excessive profanity, sexual dialogue, etc.
- Drug and alcohol use: Glorification of illegal drug use and underage drinking.
- Mature themes: Complex interpersonal issues, depression, suicide, etc.
The level of maturity needed to view this content often exceeds what is appropriate for young kids and teens.
How to control your child’s Netflix access
Netflix provides several ways for parents to restrict access to mature content for their child’s profile:
Set a Maturity Rating
Under account settings, you can set a maturity level like TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, etc. This will block shows above that rating from appearing on your child’s Netflix profile.
Enable Netflix Kids
Netflix Kids has an even more limited selection that’s just for younger children with family-friendly shows, movies, and a unique interface.
Use Kids Profiles
Create a profile just for your kid that only accesses content suitable for children. Monitor viewing through the account holder controls.
Block Specific Shows/Movies
Manually block any shows, movies or keywords you don’t want your kids accessing on their profiles.
Disable Autoplay
Turn off autoplay so that the next show doesn’t automatically start, limiting viewing time.
Take some time to personalize the Netflix experience for each of your children based on their ages and what you deem appropriate.
Mature Netflix shows parents should avoid
Here are some examples of popular Netflix shows containing graphic content that parents may not want their kids exposed to:
13 Reasons Why
This teen drama depicts issues like suicide, sexual assault, underage drinking. Recommended for mature audiences.
Big Mouth
Crude adult animated comedy series about puberty. Contains nudity, language, and sexual situations.
BoJack Horseman
Adult animated series with dark themes about a washed-up celebrity. Includes f-bombs, comedy about depression/addiction.
Game of Thrones
Gritty, graphic fantasy series with intense violence, sex, nudity and incest. For mature audiences.
Glow
1980s wrestling comedy-drama with lots of sexual language, drug references and partial nudity.
Black Mirror
Dark anthology series exploring the twisted side of technology. Some episodes contain violence, profanity, sexual content.
Narcos
Chronicles the rise of drug kingpins in graphic detail including violence/disturbing imagery. For mature audiences.
Orange Is the New Black
Women’s prison drama with pervasive language, sexual content/nudity, drug use, violence.
Ozark
Crime drama about a money laundering family contains strong violence, drug content, profanity.
Shameless
Comedy series about a dysfunctional family with constant alcohol abuse, sex, nudity, violence.
10 cleaner Netflix alternatives for kids
Instead of the shows above, here are some more family-friendly shows available on Netflix that parents can feel better about letting kids view:
| Show | Details |
|---|---|
| The Magic School Bus | Educational animated adventures with Ms. Frizzle. |
| StoryBots | Cute, colorful animated series teaching basics. |
| Ask the StoryBots | Spinoff answering science questions. |
| Beat Bugs | Animated adventures inspired by Beatles songs. |
| Sesame Street | Beloved educational series for preschoolers. |
| Go Dog Go | Sweet animated series based on the children’s book. |
| Puffin Rock | Beautiful animated Irish show about baby puffin’s adventures. |
| Storybots Super Songs | Short musical animated episodes. |
| True and the Rainbow Kingdom | Whimsical show promoting problem-solving. |
| Word Party | Learn vocabulary with cute animal babies. |
From educational series to imaginative adventures, Netflix offers plenty of age-appropriate programs for younger audiences.
Tips for finding good kids content on Netflix
Here are some useful tips for parents to find and curate quality shows suitable for children on Netflix:
- Preview shows yourself before letting kids watch.
- Check ratings guides like Common Sense Media for age recommendations.
- Look for the kids & family genre rows on your child’s profile.
- Search using positive keywords like “educational” or “animals.”
- Get recommendations from other parents.
- Look for shows from trusted brands like PBS, Disney, etc.
- Browse Netflix Kids profiles for choices filtered for children.
- Use Netflix’s ratings and content warnings to avoid mature stuff.
- Enable parental controls like maturity levels and profile restrictions.
- Provide a mix of entertainment and educational shows.
Taking the time to find quality, enrichment-focused programs can make Netflix a great supplement for your child’s screen time.
Setting media time limits
In addition to monitoring content, parents should also pay close attention to how much time their kids spend streaming shows on Netflix. Too much passive screen time isn’t healthy.
Here are some tips for limiting media consumption:
- Set a daily or weekly limit for non-educational screen time.
- Make kids do chores/activities to earn screen time.
- No screens during meals or for 1 hour before bedtime.
- Enable a timer through parental controls.
- Schedule tech-free days to encourage other hobbies.
- Offer engaging alternatives like outdoor/family activities.
- Model responsible screen habits yourself.
Keeping budgets focused on quality over quantity allows kids to enjoy the benefits of streaming video without negative impacts like shorter attention spans, poor sleep, or less physical activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I ban Netflix entirely for my kid?
Completely banning Netflix may be an overreaction. With proper parental controls and limits, it can be watched safely in moderation. Find shows that align with your family values. Monitor the account and co-view new programs first before allowing independent watching.
At what age is it ok for kids to start using Netflix independently?
There is no magic age, as maturity varies. Many parents introduce supervised Netflix use around ages 5-7. By age 10, some kids can use Netflix Kids independently with rated G content. Evaluate your child’s readiness to make smart media choices. Ease in privileges with ongoing guidance.
Is Netflix safe for toddlers?
Netflix offers select programming like Super Simple Songs that is appropriate for ages 2-4 with parental previewing. Very limited use (10-15 mins a day) can be harmless for toddlers if focusing on educational, non-passive content. Prioritize real-world interaction and play at this young age.
Should kids be prohibited from ever using Netflix?
It’s unrealistic to completely prohibit Netflix usage given how ubiquitous streaming video is. With prudent limitations and involvement, Netflix entertainment can be part of a healthy media diet. Ensure your child also engages in books, outdoor play, socializing and uses screens in shared spaces.
What are the risks of too much Netflix for kids?
Excessive Netflix usage can lead to obesity, sleep issues, social isolation, behavior problems, hyperactivity, loss of interest in reading, poor academic performance, and exposure to inappropriate content. Set limits to encourage more active pastimes.
Conclusion
Netflix offers parents both opportunities and challenges. Kids can enjoy wholesome, educational programming if parents take an active role in account management. Set clear guidelines about what shows are acceptable and what the time limits should be. Provide balance between streaming entertainment and offline activities. With the right limits and oversight, Netflix can be used constructively in your child’s media diet. But be vigilant about protecting developing minds from content that could negatively impact their worldview and wellbeing during their formative years. What your children watch matters.
