Netflix offers special kids profiles so your child only sees age-appropriate content. In this article we explain how to create a kids profile, choose the right settings and manage your children's Netflix use.

Why use a kids profile on Netflix?

A kids profile on Netflix offers several advantages for families. The most important one is that your child only sees movies and shows that match the age you set. On top of that, each child gets their own recommendations based on what they have watched.

Benefits of kids profiles

Creating a kids profile

Creating a kids profile is easy and works on any device you use Netflix on.

Through the Netflix app or website

Open Netflix and go to 'Manage Profiles'. You can find this by clicking or tapping your profile icon. Select 'Add Profile'. Enter a name for your child's profile and check the 'Kid?' option. This automatically creates a kids profile with age restrictions.

Choosing the right age rating

After creating the profile, you can adjust the age rating. Go to 'Manage Profiles', select the kids profile and choose 'Edit Profile'. Under 'Allowed shows and movies' you can set the maximum age limit. Netflix uses the Dutch Kijkwijzer ratings: AL (all ages), 6, 9, 12, 16 and 18 years.

Choosing a profile picture

Let your child pick a fun profile picture. Netflix offers many icons of popular children's characters. Go to the profile, click the pencil icon and browse the available pictures. This makes the profile more personal and helps children recognize their own profile.

The Netflix Kids experience

When your child opens a kids profile, they see a different interface than adults do.

Child-friendly interface

The Netflix Kids environment has larger, more colorful images and only shows content suitable for the age you set. Navigation is simpler, with clear categories such as 'Cartoons', 'Superheroes' and 'Animals'. This makes it easier for young children to pick something on their own.

Only suitable content

In a kids profile, only movies and shows within the age rating you set are shown. Content for older viewers is completely hidden, not just blocked. So your child cannot accidentally stumble onto inappropriate content while browsing.

Setting up a profile lock

To prevent your child from switching to an adult profile, you can turn on a profile lock.

Setting a PIN for profiles

Go to the Netflix website and sign in. Click your account and go to 'Account'. Under 'Profile & Parental Controls', select the profile you want to protect. Click 'Profile Lock' and set a four-digit PIN. Repeat this for every profile you want to protect.

A PIN for kids profiles too?

It is wise to set a PIN for kids profiles as well if you have several children with different age restrictions. That way you prevent your youngest child from using an older child's profile with looser settings.

Viewing and managing viewing activity

As a parent, you can see what your child has watched on Netflix and manage that history.

Viewing the watch history

Go to the Netflix website, sign in and go to 'Account'. Select your child's profile and click 'Viewing activity'. Here you see an overview of everything your child has watched, including the date and time. This helps you keep an eye on whether the content is appropriate.

Removing items from the history

You can remove individual titles from the viewing history. This also affects the recommendations. If your child accidentally started something that led to unwanted recommendations, you can correct this by removing it.

Managing hidden titles

If you want to hide a title from your child completely, you can add it to the hidden list. The title will then no longer appear in search results or recommendations for that specific profile.

Advanced parental control settings

Netflix offers even more options for parents who want extra control.

Turning off autoplay

By default, Netflix automatically plays the next episode. For children, this can lead to endless binge-watching. You can turn off autoplay for each profile. Go to 'Edit Profile' and turn off 'Autoplay next episode'.

Blocking specific titles

Sometimes a specific title falls within the allowed age rating, but you still don't think it is suitable for your child. You can block individual titles. Go to the account settings, select the kids profile and enter the name of the title you want to block under 'Title Restrictions'.

Download settings

Netflix lets you download content to watch offline. In kids profiles, the same age restriction applies to downloads as to streaming. So your child cannot download inappropriate content.

Several children of different ages

If you have children of different ages, create a separate profile for each child with suitable settings.

One profile per child

Netflix allows up to five profiles per account. Create a separate profile for each child with the right name and age rating. Your 6-year-old gets AL and 6+ content, while your 10-year-old may also watch 9+ content.

Preventing profile switching

Use PINs to prevent children from switching to each other's profiles or to adult profiles. Explain to your children that everyone has their own profile and why it matters to use the right one.

Netflix on different devices

Kids profiles work consistently on all devices, but the available settings can vary.

Smartphones and tablets

In the Netflix app for iOS and Android, kids profiles work fully. When opening the app, your child selects their own profile and only sees suitable content. PIN locking also works on mobile devices.

Smart TVs and streaming devices

On smart TVs and devices such as Chromecast, Apple TV and game consoles, the profiles work as well. The interface may differ slightly, but the content filtering stays the same. Make sure the Netflix app is up to date for the best experience.

Web browser

On the Netflix website on a computer, all features work, including kids profiles and PIN locking. This is also where you manage most account settings.

Tips for Netflix use by children

Besides the technical settings, there are practical tips for healthy Netflix use.

Set viewing rules

Agree on when and how long your child may watch Netflix. Combine Netflix with the device's screen time features, such as Screen Time or Family Link, to enforce limits.

Watch together and talk about it

Regularly take time to watch together. This is not only fun, it also gives you insight into what your child finds interesting. Talk about what you watch and ask questions about the stories and characters.

Use Netflix as a reward

Screen time can be part of a reward system. Watching Netflix after homework or after helping with chores makes it extra special and keeps it from becoming a habit.

With Netflix kids profiles, you as a parent have full control over what your child can watch. By choosing the right settings, using PINs and staying actively involved, you turn Netflix into a safe and fun source of entertainment for the whole family.

Frequently asked questions

How many kids profiles can I create on Netflix?

Netflix allows up to five profiles per account, including kids profiles. So you can create several kids profiles, each with its own settings and age restrictions. Every family member can have their own profile with personalized recommendations.

Can my child get to adult content from a kids profile?

No, from a kids profile adult content is completely invisible and unreachable. Your child would have to switch to another profile. By setting a profile lock with a PIN, you prevent your child from switching to other profiles.

What do the age ratings on Netflix mean?

Netflix uses the Kijkwijzer ratings: AL (all ages), 6+, 9+, 12+, 16+ and 18+. For a kids profile, you set the maximum age. A profile set to 9+ shows content suitable for all ages, 6+ and 9+, but hides 12+ and higher.

Do the kids profile settings also apply to downloaded content?

Yes, the same age restrictions apply to downloads as to streaming. Your child can only download content that fits within the profile's age rating. Inappropriate content cannot be downloaded from a kids profile.

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