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How to Set Up DISNEY PLUS Parental Controls--Plus Tips for Locking It Down

Parents, rejoice! Disney Plus has finally introduced parental controls! Here’s how to set up the new Disney Plus Parental Controls with step-by-step instructions.

Why now? 

In March 2021, Disney+ added adult content under a new brand called Star. But if you're in the U.S., you won't see it because most Star content is available on Hulu, (also owned by Disney), and will remain a separate service.

The upside to this more mature content coming to Disney+ is that the company had an incentive to create a parental control system. The streaming service now has two separate ways to protect your child from content they aren't ready for.


How to set up Disney Plus Parental Controls

Option 1: Kids Profile

A Kids Profile is great for young children watching content independently. The user interface is simpler and more colorful. The content in this mode is set by Disney and includes TV-7FV content, meaning shows created for kids under 7 and movies rated G. Content with Disney's "outdated cultural depictions" warning is also excluded, so you won't see some older Disney films on these profiles. Kids Profile prevents kids from exiting with a simple reading question, so it's not designed for elementary age and above.

To set a profile on your account to kid mode:

1. Go to the profile selection screen or menu.

2. Select the "Edit Profiles" button, then select the profile you want to change into a kid's profile.

3. Select "Parental Controls." If the version of the Disney+ app you are using doesn't support creating parental controls, you may need to do this on a phone or computer. Once set up, the controls will be in force on all devices.

4. Toggle on the switch for "Kids Profile" and "Kid-Proof Exit." You may need to enter your Disney+ password to turn it on, and you'll definitely need the password to turn it off.

Option 2: Content Ratings

Content rating restrictions provide an option for older kids. Parents can set the content level for a profile to any level they want. The rating choices you can see are based on your country, but the default profile in the U.S. is set to include PG-13 and TV-14 content.

To set up content ratings for a profile:

1. Go to the profile selection screen or menu.

2. Select the "Edit Profiles" button, then select the profile you want to make into a kid's profile.

3. Select "Parental Controls." If the version of the Disney+ app you are using doesn't support creating parental controls, you may need to do this on a phone or computer. Once set up, the controls will be in force on all devices.

4. If it's on, toggle off the switch for "Kids Profile." You'll need to enter your Disney+ password to turn it off.

5. Click "Content Rating" and enter your password.

6. Select the maximum rating you want to allow for that profile.

How to make sure kids can’t bypass Disney Plus Parental Controls

Disney+'s parental controls are useless if your kid can bypass them. Here are two simple tips to lock things down:

  • Kids can bypass the content ratings you’ve set up by exiting a protected account and opening yours (or creating a new profile). You'll need to set up a PIN for all adult profiles in order to prevent this from happening. Set up a PIN under the parental control settings for each account.
  • If your child watches from a tablet or computer, make sure the account password isn't saved, or they will be able to use it to bypass the system.

What Parental Controls Can't Do

It's important to note that Disney's parental controls do not let you set a time limit for watching shows. If your child is using a tablet or computer, you may be able to set a limit through the device's parental controls. Smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku or FireTV don't have these restrictions built in.

Remember also that these parental controls depend on television and movie rating systems or selections made by Disney. There is no guarantee that these standards will line up with your family's standards.

Related: Miranda Sings: YouTuber Promotes Raunchy Content Like Incest but Dodges Parental Controls

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Keep an eye on the things your children watch. Have family discussions about the content of their shows. And remember to talk to your kids about pornography so they will have an internal filter to protect them when parental controls fail.

Other Parental Control Guides:

NEW Netflix Parental Controls: Step-by-Step Guide to Update Your Settings!

Chromebook Safety 101: 5 Easy Tips for a Better School Year

At last! Stronger YouTube Kids Parental Controls: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Set Up Google Family Link Parental Controls


Brain Defense: Digital Safety Curriculum - Family Edition

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