Roku devices provide access to an enormous amount of content — which is wonderful for adults but requires some thoughtful configuration for households with children. The good news is that Roku has built-in parental controls at the device level, and most free streaming apps have their own content filtering options as well. This guide covers everything you need to know to create a safe streaming environment for your family.
Roku Device-Level Parental Controls
The most important parental control setting is at the Roku device level, because it applies across all apps. Here's how to set it up:
Setting Up a Parental Control PIN
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote
- Go to Settings > Parental Controls
- Select "Enable Parental Controls"
- Create a 4-digit PIN that children won't know
- Set the content rating limit (TV-Y, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, or TV-MA)
Once enabled, any content rated above your selected limit will require the PIN to access. This applies to content in the Roku Channel Store and to content within apps that respect Roku's parental control settings.
Restricting Channel Purchases and Downloads
You can also require a PIN to purchase or download new channels from the Roku Channel Store. This prevents children from adding apps without your knowledge. Enable this in Settings > Parental Controls > Require PIN to purchase channels.
Hiding Mature Channels
Some Roku channels are designated as "mature" and can be hidden from the channel list. Enable this in Settings > Parental Controls > Hide mature content.
App-Level Parental Controls
In addition to device-level controls, most major free streaming apps have their own parental control features:
Tubi Parental Controls
Tubi has a dedicated parental controls section in its settings. You can set a PIN that's required to access content above a certain rating level, and you can enable a "Kids Mode" that restricts the interface to family-friendly content only. To access Tubi's parental controls, go to the Tubi app > Settings > Parental Controls.
Pluto TV Parental Controls
Pluto TV allows you to set content rating restrictions within the app. Go to Settings > Parental Controls and set your preferred rating limit. Note that Pluto TV's parental controls are less robust than Tubi's — the dedicated kids channels are a safer option for young children.
YouTube Kids vs. YouTube
The regular YouTube app is not appropriate for unsupervised use by children. Instead, install the separate YouTube Kids app, which provides a curated, safer experience. YouTube Kids allows you to set content filters based on age group and enables a restricted mode that only shows manually reviewed content. You can also set a timer to limit viewing time.
PBS Kids
PBS Kids is inherently safe — all content is age-appropriate and commercial-free. No parental controls are needed, but the app does offer a "Grown-Ups" section with educational resources for parents.
Age-Appropriate App Recommendations
| Age Group | Recommended Apps | Apps to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | PBS Kids, Tubi Kids, YouTube Kids (Preschool mode) | Tubi (main), Pluto TV (main), YouTube (main) |
| Ages 5-10 | PBS Kids, Tubi Kids, YouTube Kids, Pluto TV Kids channels | Tubi (without parental controls), YouTube (without restrictions) |
| Ages 11-13 | Tubi (with PG-13 limit), YouTube Kids (Older mode), Peacock free | Pluto TV (without supervision), Tubi (without controls) |
| Ages 14+ | Tubi, Pluto TV, YouTube, Peacock, most free apps | TV-MA content (use PIN protection) |
Monitoring and Conversation
Technical controls are important, but they're not a substitute for parental involvement and conversation. Here are some additional recommendations:
Watch together: Especially with younger children, watching together allows you to monitor content and discuss what you're seeing. It also makes streaming a family activity rather than an isolated one.
Check watch history: Most streaming apps maintain a watch history that you can review to see what your children have been watching. Check this periodically to ensure the content is appropriate.
Set time limits: Consider using Roku's screen time features or the built-in timers in apps like YouTube Kids to limit daily viewing time.
Have conversations about online safety: As children get older, talk to them about why certain content has age restrictions and how to make good choices about what they watch.
With the right combination of device-level controls, app-level settings, and parental involvement, Roku can be a safe and enriching entertainment platform for children of all ages. The free streaming options available are genuinely excellent for families — PBS Kids alone is worth the price of a Roku device (which is to say, it's free).