How to Use Roku Parental Controls

Roku provides access to thousands of streaming content channels, but not all content is suitable for all age groups. With Roku parental control methods, parents can restrict access to channels and content that isn't appropriate for children, and stop kids from adding unwanted channels or paid subscriptions. Here's how to access and set controls for your Roku device.

Roku devices can't access parental controls within third-party channels. To set up parental controls in channels like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and more, go directly to these apps' settings.

Roku home page on a TV with the sky-blue Kite theme

How to Create a PIN for Roku Parental Controls

Roku streaming devices don't have any kind of universal parental controls, but by using a PIN, it's possible to restrict children from adding channels and purchasing apps, movies, and shows from the Roku Channel Store. Here's how:

Log in to your Roku account through a smartphone or web browser.
Under PIN preference, select Update.
Choose your PIN preferences. For the highest level of access restriction, select Always require a PIN to make purchases and add items from the Channel Store.
You'll be prompted to create a PIN. Enter and verify a 4-digit PIN.

If you already have a PIN, you can change it here.
Under Parental Controls for the Roku Channel, select Little kids, Young kids, or Teens to require a PIN for the described content. Select Save Changes.

This setting is specifically for content within The Roku Channel.
Now, if your children want to purchase a movie or add a channel, they'll have to ask you for a PIN, and you can decide if the content is appropriate.

Remove Channels You Deem Inappropriate

It's easy to remove any channels you don't want your kids to access, or add kid-friendly channels.

A PIN isn't necessary to remove a channel, so anyone can remove channels from your lineup.

Using the Roku remote or Roku Mobile app, select the installed app you want to remove on the Roku home page.
Press the Options button (*) on your Roku remote.
Select Remove Channel.
Select Remove to confirm the channel's removal.
Repeat the above steps for other channels you want to remove.
If you set PIN preferences in your account, you'll need your PIN to add a deleted channel back in or add a new channel.

How to Hide the Movie Store and TV Store

In addition to removing channels, you can hide Roku's Movie Store and TV Store from the Roku home page, so it's not there to tempt the kids.

From the Roku home page, select Settings > Home Screen.
On the Home Screen Settings page, select the arrow in the right corner to proceed.
On the next page, select Movie Store and TV Store, then select Hide.

Come back to this page anytime and select Show to be able to see the Roku Movie Store and TV Store.

Roku Parental Controls on Roku TVs

If you have a Roku TV, in addition to the above controls, control content based on a TV or movie's rating.

Go to the Roku home page.
Select Settings.
Select Parental Controls.
Enter (or create) your PIN.
Upon PIN entry confirmation, you'll be taken to the TV tuner page. Select Enable Parental Controls.
Scroll down to the Movie ratings option you want to change. You'll see the rating categories.
Select the rating restrictions you want to activate. A lock icon will appear to the right of the rating description.
To block unrated content, including movies, select Block all Unrated Programs.

Once the above two steps are completed, the option to block programs or movies will be inaccessible unless you re-enter the Roku PIN.
If you desire, select Reset parental controls to remove any changes you've made.

This screen prompt is not available on other Roku devices.