TV parental controls · Settings guide
How to set up parental controls on a TV
Sources checked · how we check
TV parental controls block programs above a rating and put apps behind a PIN. They don't reach inside every streaming app, so check what each maker says they cover.
01 · Before you start
Check these first
- Samsung's default PIN is 0000. Change it so children can't guess it: Settings → General → System Manager → Change PIN.
Source: Samsung: make your Samsung TV, Smart Monitor or projector kid friendly
02 · Change the setting
Step by step, by device
Samsung TV: Program Rating Lock
Settings → Broadcasting → Program Rating Lock Settings
- Select Settings, then Broadcasting.
- Select Program Rating Lock Settings and choose the ratings to lock.
Source: Samsung: make your Samsung TV, Smart Monitor or projector kid friendly
Samsung TV: App Lock
APPS → Settings → app → Lock/Unlock → PIN
- Go to APPS, then select Settings.
- Select the app to lock or unlock, select Lock/Unlock, and enter the PIN.
Source: Samsung: make your Samsung TV, Smart Monitor or projector kid friendly
Roku TV
Home → Settings → Parental controls → create PIN → set rating limits
- Press Home and go to Settings → Parental controls.
- The first time, create a 4-digit parental controls PIN.
- Set TV and movie rating limits, and choose whether to block all unrated programs.
The parental controls PIN is different from your Roku PIN.
Source: Roku: set parental controls
If the setting doesn't change
Roku's rating limits apply only to content on the Live TV input, and to The Roku Channel and Howdy on the Roku device, not to other streaming services. You must be signed in to your Roku account for parental controls to take effect, and they don't work in Guest Mode.
Source: Roku: set parental controls
Frequently asked questions
What is the default PIN on a Samsung TV?
0000. Samsung recommends changing it in Settings → General → System Manager → Change PIN.
Do Roku parental controls block Netflix?
No. Roku says they apply to the Live TV input and to The Roku Channel and Howdy, not to other streaming services.