Netflix Rolling Out Parental PIN Protection for Specific Titles

Netflix announced this morning expanded parental controls are rolling out globally to members, which includes the ability to finally lock down individual titles.

Mike Hastings, director of enhanced content at Netflix, explained in a blog post, “The first change involves introducing a PIN parental control for individual movies and series to give parents and guardians more specific control over what children can watch on the service.”

This means parents can now lock down any movie or TV series they don’t want their kids to watch when they’re not around. This is in addition to Netflix’s existing PIN protection by content maturity level.

As you can see in the screenshot below, the new section ‘Restrict Specific Titles’ will let parents search for a title or series they want to be blocked. In order for these titles to play, a PIN is required at the start, regardless of maturity rating. This is handy if your kid (or spouse) is addicted to Paw Patrol.

Another parental control feature coming, is the maturity level rating being shown on a title once it starts in the top left corner, “to ensure members are fully aware of the maturity level as they begin watching.” This is similar to what normally happens on cable TV (remember cable TV?).

Check out the maturity rating for Trolls below:

Hastings concludes “These latest steps are part of our continuous efforts to keep members better informed, and more in control, of what they and their families choose to watch and enjoy on Netflix.”

We’re not seeing the ‘Restrict Specific Titles’ parental option here in Canada yet, but it should be rolling out soon.