Netflix is the heavy hitter of the streaming world. According to community data, roughly 75% of households with children under 12 use Netflix as their primary "safe" video source. But "safe" is subjective.

The algorithm doesn't care if a show is educational or if it’s just high-fructose sensory overload designed to keep a kid catatonic. It just wants them to keep watching. By taking ten minutes to dial in these settings, you’re moving from passive consumption to intentional curation.

Did you know you can actually ban specific shows from ever appearing? This is the single greatest feature for parents who can’t handle one more second of Blippi or Cocomelon.

How to do it:

This is huge. If you feel like a certain show is contributing to "brain rot" or just makes your kid act like a gremlin, you can make it disappear. No more "Can I watch the toilet show?" because the toilet show doesn't exist in your house anymore.

Check out our guide on what is actually considered 'brain rot' content

The "Kids" profile is useless if your kid can just click over to your profile and start watching Squid Game or Stranger Things.

You need to put a 4-digit PIN on every adult profile in the house. It takes thirty seconds and prevents the "accidental" discovery of TV-MA content.

Pro-tip: Don't use your phone unlock code or a birthday they know. Kids are basically tiny hackers when it comes to getting around screen restrictions.

Netflix allows you to set a hard ceiling on maturity ratings for each profile.

I recommend setting the profile to the lowest level you’re comfortable with and then manually adding back shows you approve of if they fall outside that rating.

If you're going to block the junk, you need to provide the good stuff. Here are some Screenwise-approved picks that actually respect a child's intelligence.

Look, if you aren't watching Bluey, are you even parenting in 2026? It’s the gold standard for emotional intelligence and realistic family dynamics. It's as much for us as it is for them.

For kids 7+, this is an incredible show about a girl exploring a world of giants, trolls, and spirits. It’s cozy, beautifully animated, and encourages curiosity rather than just loud noises and bright colors.

If your kid is into Minecraft or Roblox fantasy worlds, this is the show for them. It’s epic storytelling that deals with complex themes like war, family, and sacrifice without being inappropriate.

This movie is legitimately a masterpiece. It deals with the fear of death and the value of life in a way that is visually stunning and deeply moving. It’s "kids' media" that doesn't feel like it's talking down to anyone.

If you want them to actually learn something while you're making dinner, this is it. It explains how things work (like computers or volcanoes) with great music and humor that isn't grating.

Ask our chatbot for more non-brain-rot Netflix recommendations

As kids hit that 9-12 age range, they start wanting to watch what the "big kids" are watching. This is usually when they start asking for MrBeast or more intense action movies.

Netflix’s "Kids" profile might feel too babyish for a 5th grader. At this point, you might consider moving them to a "General" profile but keeping the maturity rating capped at PG-13 and keeping that Title Blocking list active for anything you've researched and decided is a "no."

When you block a show or set a PIN, your kid might feel like you’re being the "fun police." This is a great opportunity for a conversation about "digital nutrition."

You can explain it like this: "Some shows are like broccoli—they help your brain grow and give you good ideas. Some shows are like giant bags of candy—they’re okay for a little bit, but if that’s all you eat, you’re going to feel sick and grumpy. I’m just making sure our 'digital kitchen' has more of the good stuff."

It’s not about being restrictive; it’s about being a curator. You are helping them develop a "taste" for high-quality media so that when they're older and have their own accounts, they aren't just scrolling through trash.

Netflix is a tool. It can be a babysitter that feeds your kid's brain junk, or it can be a library of incredible stories and educational content. The difference is about ten minutes in the settings menu.

Next Steps:

Learn more about managing screen time without the power struggles Check out our guide on YouTube vs. YouTube Kids