The Roku Channel is basically the digital version of that one bin at the grocery store filled with $5 DVDs—you’ll find some absolute gems like The Great British Baking Show mixed in with a massive amount of weird, influencer-led "brain rot" that your kids will watch until their eyes glaze over if you don't set some boundaries. It’s free, it’s convenient, and it’s arguably the most aggressive data-collection machine in your living room, but with a few PIN-protected tweaks, it can be a solid tool for family movie night.
The Roku Channel is a free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a mix of high-quality classics and low-effort influencer content. While it’s a great way to access shows like LEGO Masters without a subscription, parents should use a Roku PIN to gate-keep the "Kids & Family" section and be aware of the heavy data tracking inherent to the platform. Screenwise gives it a WISE score of 62/100—convenient and cost-effective, but requires active management to avoid the "influencer rabbit hole."
If you have a Roku TV or a streaming stick, you’ve seen it. It’s the app that’s already there, begging you to click it. The Roku Channel is what the industry calls "FAST" (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV).
Think of it as the modern version of basic cable. You don't pay a monthly fee, but you do pay with your time (ads) and your data. It hosts thousands of movies, "Live TV" channels that run 24/7 loops of specific shows, and an increasing amount of "Roku Originals." In 2026, it has become a major landing spot for YouTube creators who want to look more "official" by having their own TV channel.
Kids love The Roku Channel because it feels like a hybrid of Netflix and YouTube. The "Kids & Family" section is designed to be a "walled garden," but the walls are a bit shorter than we’d like.
The biggest draw for the under-10 crowd isn't the movies; it's the influencer channels. We’re talking about Ryan’s World, Pocket.watch, and various "toy unboxing" or "gaming challenge" creators. For a kid, seeing their favorite YouTuber on the "Big TV" makes that content feel more legitimate. For a parent, it can feel like a 22-minute commercial for plastic toys and merch.
If you’re going to let them loose on the app, guide them toward content that actually has some nutritional value. Here are a few Screenwise-approved picks available on the platform:
For the Little Ones (Ages 3-6)
- The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!: Classic PBS Kids energy that focuses on science and nature.
- Wild Kratts: If your kid is going to obsess over animals, this is the gold standard for educational entertainment.
- Sesame Street: You can often find older seasons or curated specials here for free.
For Big Kids (Ages 7-12)
- LEGO Masters: This is the ultimate "co-viewing" show. It’s creative, positive, and honestly impressive.
- The Great American Baking Show: The Roku-exclusive version of the British classic. It’s wholesome, low-stress, and might actually inspire them to help in the kitchen.
- All-Stars Shore: Avoid this. It might pop up in recommendations because of "star" power, but it's definitely not for the elementary school set.
For Family Movie Night
- Classic Movies: Roku is great for older titles like The Iron Giant or The NeverEnding Story. These are "safe" bets that hold up surprisingly well.
We need to talk about the "Live TV" section. Roku has hundreds of channels that are just 24/7 loops of content. Some are great—like a 24/7 Bob Ross channel (highly recommend for calming down a hyper household).
However, many are "Influencer Channels." This is where the "brain rot" happens. These channels often feature high-energy, fast-cut videos originally made for YouTube. While they aren't "dangerous" in terms of adult content, they are designed to be addictive. They use the same dopamine-loop tactics as TikTok to keep kids watching. If you notice your kid getting "zombie-eyed" or having a meltdown when it’s time to turn off the TV, these channels are usually the culprit.
Roku isn’t a hardware company that sells TVs; they are an advertising company that uses TVs to show you ads. According to Screenwise’s data, Roku tracks everything from what you watch to how long you hover over an app icon.
- The Ad Experience: Unlike Netflix or Disney+, there is no "ad-free" tier for The Roku Channel. Your kids will see commercials. In 2026, these ads are highly targeted. If you’ve been searching for a new car, don't be surprised if your 8-year-old sees an SUV commercial in the middle of SpongeBob SquarePants.
- Data Privacy: Go into your Roku settings and look for "Privacy." Turn off "Personalized Ads" and "Limit Ad Tracking." It won't stop the ads, but it stops Roku from building such a detailed profile of your family's habits.
This is the most important "intentional parent" move you can make. You can set a PIN that is required to either make purchases or to play content based on ratings.
- Log into your account at my.roku.com.
- Under PIN Preference, select "Always require a PIN to make purchases and add items from the Channel Store."
- Under Parental Controls for The Roku Channel, set the level to G, PG, or TV-PG.
- Note: This only works for The Roku Channel app. It does not magically control what happens inside the YouTube or Netflix apps.
Learn more about setting up parental controls across all devices
Instead of just banning the "weird" channels, use them as a jumping-off point for media literacy.
- "Why do you think that YouTuber is showing us their new toy?"
- "Did you notice how the music gets really fast right before they show the product?"
- "How do you feel after watching 30 minutes of this vs. watching something like Bluey?"
Q: Is The Roku Channel safe for kids? Yes, it is generally safe, especially if you use the "Kids & Family" section which filters for age-appropriate content. However, because it is ad-supported, kids will be exposed to commercials, and the influencer-style content can be very high-stimulation and commercial-heavy.
Q: Can I block specific channels on The Roku Channel? Not exactly. You can't "hide" a specific live channel (like a specific influencer channel) within the app, but you can set a PIN for ratings. If a channel is unrated or rated above your limit, the PIN will block it.
Q: How do I stop my kid from spending money on Roku? Set a PIN for "Purchases and Channel Store" in your Roku account settings. This ensures they can't subscribe to "Premium Subscriptions" (like Paramount+ or Max) through the Roku interface without your 4-digit code.
Q: Does The Roku Channel have educational content? Yes, it has a significant library of PBS Kids content, nature documentaries, and "how-to" shows. Look for titles like Wild Kratts or Popular Mechanics for Kids for the best educational value.
The Roku Channel is a tool, not a babysitter. It’s a fantastic resource for free, high-quality family entertainment if you’re willing to do the 5 minutes of legwork to set up a PIN and steer your kids away from the "influencer" live streams.
If you're looking for a more curated, ad-free experience, you might prefer something like Kanopy Kids (which is free with a library card), but for a rainy Saturday afternoon, Roku is a solid "B+" option.
- Set your PIN today. Don't wait until you see a $14.99 charge for a random streaming add-on.
- Audit the "Live TV" list. Sit with your kid for 10 minutes and see what the "Live" channels are actually showing.
- Check your privacy settings. Turn off that "Personalized Advertising" to keep your family's data a little more private.