We’ve all been there. You hand the remote to your seven-year-old, they’re in their "Kids" profile on Netflix, and somehow they still end up seeing a thumbnail for a gritty true-crime documentary or a "recommended" clip that is definitely not Bluey.

The reality is that streaming algorithms are built to keep eyes on screens, not necessarily to protect developing brains. About 85% of kids in elementary school are using at least two different streaming services daily, and the "walled gardens" of these apps have some pretty major cracks.

If your kid is calling everything "Ohio" (meaning weird or cringey) or obsessing over Skibidi Toilet clips, they’re already navigating the wilder parts of the digital world. Our job isn't to build a fortress they'll eventually jump over, but to set up the guardrails so they don't accidentally see something they can't un-see.

Netflix has the most robust controls, but they are buried in the "Account" settings, which you usually have to access via a web browser, not the app on your TV.

This is the most important step. If your child can just click over to your adult profile, your parental controls are useless.

Netflix allows you to set maturity levels (G, PG, etc.) for each profile. But more importantly, you can block specific titles. If you think a certain show is absolute brain rot—even if it's rated for kids—you can type the name of that show into the "Viewing Restrictions" box, and it will never show up for them.

Learn more about blocking specific shows on Netflix

For a long time, Disney+ was the "safe" app. Then they integrated Hulu and added the R-rated Marvel movies and The Bear. Suddenly, "The Mouse House" got a lot more complicated.

When you first open Disney+ now, it often asks you to "Update your profile." If you just click "Full Catalog," you’re opening the door to everything.

If you have a toddler or preschooler, Disney+ offers a "Junior Mode." It’s a simplified interface with no search bar—just big buttons for shows like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It’s the closest thing to a "set it and forget it" mode in streaming.

This is the big one. YouTube is where most "accidental" exposure happens.

For kids under 10, YouTube Kids is the standard, but even then, weird stuff gets through the filters. The best move here is to switch from "Automated Content" to "Approved Content Only." This means your kid can only watch channels or videos that you have manually whitelisted.

For older kids (10-14) who find YouTube Kids "babyish," use Supervised Accounts on the main YouTube app. This gives you three tiers:

Check out our full guide on YouTube vs. YouTube Kids

If you're going to use these controls to steer them away from the junk, you need to give them something good to watch. Here are a few Screenwise-approved picks that won't make you want to pull your hair out:

Ask our chatbot for more age-specific show recommendations

When we talk about "parental controls," we aren't just talking about blocking "The Wolf of Wall Street." We're also talking about managing the quality of what they consume.

There is a whole genre of YouTube and streaming content—often called "Brain Rot"—that isn't necessarily "inappropriate" by rating standards, but it's designed to be hyper-stimulating. Think loud noises, fast cuts, and nonsensical plots (looking at you, Skibidi Toilet).

If you notice your kid is more irritable, has a shorter attention span, or is "zoning out" after a specific show, that's a sign to use those title-blocking features. You don't have to explain the neuroscience of dopamine loops to a 7-year-old; you can just say, "We're taking a break from that show because it's not great for our brains."

Don't make parental controls a "gotcha." Be transparent.

"Hey, I set up a PIN on my Netflix profile. It’s not because I don’t trust you, it’s because there are shows on my profile that are for grown-ups and have things in them that are confusing or scary for kids. Your profile is set up with all the stuff that’s actually made for you."

If they complain that a show is blocked, be honest about why. "I watched a bit of that show and I didn't like how the characters treated each other. I'd rather we find something that's actually funny or interesting."

Learn more about how to talk to your kids about digital boundaries

Parental controls on streaming services are not a "set it and forget it" solution. As your kids grow, they will find the workarounds—it’s basically a developmental milestone.

The goal is to move from Restriction (blocking everything) to Discernment (teaching them how to choose good content). By using PINs to lock adult content and title-blocking to remove the "brain rot," you create a digital environment where they can explore safely.

Learn more about community norms for streaming and screen time