Apple TV is a fantastic device for streaming movies, shows, music, and games. However, when it comes to children, it’s important to manage what they can access on this device. With the wide range of content available, you might want to limit access to certain apps, shows, or even restrict purchases to ensure your children are only engaging with age-appropriate content.
In this article, we will walk you through how to set up parental controls on Apple TV, step-by-step. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently manage your Apple TV settings to keep your family safe while using the device.
What Are Parental Controls on Apple TV?
Parental controls on Apple TV allow you to control what content can be accessed on the device. You can restrict certain movies, TV shows, apps, or games, based on their content ratings. You can also disable in-app purchases or set up a passcode to prevent unauthorized changes to these settings.
In addition to the basic content filtering, Apple TV’s parental controls also give you the ability to control what content is visible on the Home screen. This way, you can create a safer, more age-appropriate environment for your kids.
Why Are Parental Controls Important?
Parental controls are crucial for families who want to ensure that their children are not exposed to inappropriate content. The internet and streaming services are filled with various content, some of which might not be suitable for young viewers. With parental controls, you can:
- Restrict access to age-inappropriate content: Apple TV lets you set ratings for movies and TV shows, so you can block those that exceed the appropriate age for your child.
- Disable in-app purchases: If your child enjoys playing games or using apps on Apple TV, restricting in-app purchases can prevent unexpected charges.
- Limit screen time: Although Apple TV does not have a built-in screen time monitor, you can use parental controls to limit access to apps or features.
Now, let’s dive into how to set up these controls.
Step 1: Set Up a Passcode for Parental Controls
The first step to securing your Apple TV is setting up a passcode. This ensures that only you can make changes to the settings. To set up a passcode:
- Open Settings: From the Apple TV home screen, go to the Settings app.
- Select General: Scroll down and select General.
- Select Restrictions: Under General, find and select Restrictions.
- Enable Restrictions: Turn on Restrictions by toggling the switch to the “On” position.
- Set a Passcode: You’ll be prompted to create a 4-digit passcode. This passcode will be required whenever you want to change your settings.
- Confirm the Passcode: Re-enter your 4-digit passcode to confirm.
Now your Apple TV is locked, and you will need this passcode to adjust parental control settings in the future.
Step 2: Restrict Content Based on Age Ratings
One of the main reasons to use parental controls on Apple TV is to restrict content by age ratings. You can easily block access to movies, TV shows, and apps that are not suitable for your child’s age. Here’s how:
- Go to Restrictions: In the Restrictions section of the Settings app, select Content Restrictions.
- Choose Movies: Under Movies, you can set a rating to restrict content. For example, you can block R-rated or TV-MA-rated shows and movies.
- Choose TV Shows: Similarly, under TV Shows, select a rating that suits your child’s age. You can block shows rated TV-MA or TV-14, for instance.
- Block Explicit Content: You can also restrict explicit content in music and podcasts by toggling on Explicit.
These settings will ensure that only appropriate content is available based on the ratings you select.
Step 3: Limit Access to Specific Apps
Another great feature of Apple TV’s parental controls is the ability to hide specific apps. You can hide apps you don’t want your children to access, such as games, social media apps, or even certain streaming platforms.
Here’s how to restrict access to apps:
- Go to Restrictions: Open the Restrictions section in Settings.
- Select Allowed Apps: Select Allowed Apps to choose which apps are visible to your child.
- Disable Specific Apps: You’ll see a list of apps that are available on your Apple TV. You can toggle off the ones you want to hide, such as the App Store, Safari, or any other app you don’t want your child using.
This step is particularly useful for limiting distractions or preventing children from accessing potentially inappropriate content.
Step 4: Restrict In-App Purchases
If your child enjoys using apps or playing games on Apple TV, restricting in-app purchases is an essential step. Without this setting, your child might accidentally or intentionally make purchases within apps, leading to unexpected charges on your account.
Here’s how to restrict in-app purchases:
- Open Settings: Go to Settings and select General.
- Choose Restrictions: In the General section, choose Restrictions.
- Enable Restrictions: If you haven’t already enabled restrictions, do so now.
- Disable In-App Purchases: Find the In-App Purchases option and toggle it to Off.
Now, in-app purchases will be disabled across all apps on Apple TV. To make a purchase in the future, you’ll need to enter the passcode you set earlier.
Step 5: Set Up Screen Time Limits with Family Sharing
Although Apple TV doesn’t have a built-in feature to track screen time, you can still manage it through Family Sharing and Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad. With Screen Time, you can limit how long your child can use Apple TV and set downtime to ensure they aren’t spending too much time on the device.
Here’s how to set up Screen Time through Family Sharing:
- Set Up Family Sharing: On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings and tap your name at the top. Then select Family Sharing and add your child’s Apple ID.
- Turn on Screen Time: Under Settings, tap Screen Time. If you haven’t already set it up, tap Turn On Screen Time.
- Set Downtime and App Limits: Once Screen Time is set up, you can select Downtime to restrict access to Apple TV at certain times of the day. You can also set App Limits to limit how much time your child can spend on specific apps.
- Set Content Restrictions: Within the Screen Time settings, you can also set content restrictions for movies, TV shows, apps, and websites.
By setting these limits, you can ensure your child gets the right balance of screen time and engages with age-appropriate content.
Step 6: Lock Purchases and Subscriptions
Apple TV also allows you to lock purchases and subscriptions to prevent unauthorized purchases from the App Store, iTunes, or other services. This is especially useful for preventing accidental purchases, whether it’s a new app, TV show season, or subscription.
To lock purchases:
- Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on Apple TV.
- Select Users & Accounts: Scroll down and select Users & Accounts.
- Select [Your Account]: Select your account, then go to iTunes & App Store.
- Disable Purchases: Turn off the Purchase option to disable purchases without entering the password or passcode.
This setting ensures that no purchases can be made without your consent, adding another layer of control.
Step 7: Keep Software Updated
Regular software updates ensure that Apple TV has the latest security features, including improvements to parental controls. Always keep your Apple TV updated to make sure you’re using the latest parental control features available.
To update your Apple TV:
- Go to Settings: Open the Settings app.
- Select System: Scroll down and select System.
- Choose Software Updates: Tap Software Updates and select Update Software.
If an update is available, you can download and install it. Keeping your device updated ensures that you have the most up-to-date parental controls and security features.
Conclusion
Setting up parental controls on Apple TV is an important step in creating a safe and age-appropriate environment for your children. By using features like passcodes, content restrictions, app limits, and disabling in-app purchases, you can have peace of mind knowing that your children are engaging with content that is suitable for their age.
With these simple steps, you can control what your children watch, play, and purchase, and create a more secure streaming experience on Apple TV.
Remember, parental controls aren’t just about restrictions—they’re about creating an environment that helps your child learn, play, and grow safely in the digital world. With Apple TV’s robust features, you can easily customize the experience to fit your family’s needs.
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