You’ve Set Limits On Phones and Tablets. What about the TV and the Canadian Streaming Services You Use?
Caveat: You’ve set limits on phones, tablets and computers, but what can your child open with the TV remote? The family smart TV is easy to overlook. It connects to the internet, runs apps like YouTube and Netflix and, on some models, lets kids browse the entire web right from the couch.
Even if your child doesn’t use a smartphone, tablet, or computer at home, the living room TV may still give them access to online videos, streaming apps and, on some models, a web browser. Think about what they can open with the remote while you’re making dinner, still sleeping, getting ready in the morning, or are at work.
Start With The TV, Then Check The Apps.
Depending on your model, you may be able to lock individual apps or restrict what your child can watch. Streaming services often have their own settings. Where available, set up a kid’s profile, choose an age rating and put a PIN on adult profiles.
Smart TVs and streaming devices
Check what your TV’s home screen says before choosing a guide. Brands like TCL and Hisense sell models with different software, so the steps can vary even between TVs from the same brand.
Samsung TV parental controls: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10005213/
LG TV password and lock settings: https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/how-to-set-or-disable-a-password-on-your-lg-tv-CT10000018-20155430863214
Sony app restrictions for supported Android TV models: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00262175
TCL: For TCL models with Google TV, use TCL’s kids’ profile guide. For TCL models with Roku TV or Fire TV, use the matching guide below. https://support.tcl.com/en_CA/how-to-add-user-profile-on-a-google-tv
Hisense: For a Hisense model with VIDAA, look up the manual for your exact model. If your home screen says Google TV, use the Google TV guide below. https://uk.hisense.com/vidaa
Roku TV and Roku devices: https://support.roku.com/article/set-parental-controls
Google TV kids’ profiles and parental controls: https://support.google.com/googletv/answer/10070481?hl=en
Amazon Fire TV: Use this guide for a Fire TV Stick or a TV with Fire TV built in, including select Insignia and TCL models. Fire TV has its own device settings, separate from the Prime Video app. https://digprjsurvey.amazon.com/csad/help/node/GJF9SGT5262FJLQE
Streaming services available in Canada
Netflix parental controls: https://help.netflix.com/en/node/264
Prime Video parental controls: https://www.primevideo.com/help?nodeId=G26NRYUT8ATMMZRB
Apple TV app content restrictions: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/tvapp/atvb6ee65aa9/1.0/web/1.0
Crave viewing limits and profile PINs: https://plus.crave.ca/en/faq/how-do-i-set-up-parental-controls-on-crave/
Disney+ : Set content ratings, turn on Junior Mode or lock adult profiles with a PIN: https://help.disneyplus.com/article/disneyplus-en-ph-parental-controls
Paramount+ : Set age-based viewing restrictions and require a PIN to play restricted titles: https://support.paramountplus.com/s/article/PI-How-to-use-parental-controls?language=en_GB
Tubi: Set a viewing rating through your account or on a supported TV. https://tubitv.com/help-center/App-Features-and-Settings/articles/5053608048667
Crunchyroll: Set viewing restrictions by profile if your child watches anime. https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/30662259576340-How-to-set-up-Content-Restrictions
One extra check for YouTube
You can set up a YouTube Kids profile inside the YouTube app on supported TVs. If the app on your TV offers a Parent code, turn it on to help prevent your child from switching to an older household member’s account or watching while signed out.
Set up YouTube Kids on your TV: https://support.google.com/youtubekids/answer/9618031
Set up a YouTube Parent code: https://support.google.com/youtubekids/answer/6172308?hl=en#parent_code
Once you’ve set things up, pick up the remote and try it from your child’s profile. Can you switch to an adult profile or open an app you meant to lock? A quick check shows you what your child can actually reach. It’s also a good moment to talk about what they can watch on their own and what they can do if something confusing or upsetting comes up.
Use Your Home Router To Set Streaming Hours
If your child tends to turn the TV back on after bedtime, a router with parental controls, such as Gryphon, can pause that TV’s internet access on a schedule. In the Gryphon Connect app, select the TV from your device list and set the hours you want it offline. You can also pause its connection on the spot. If your family streams through a Roku, Fire TV Stick or game console, set a schedule for that device as well.
The schedule applies to everyone using that device. It stops streaming and web browsing over your home network during those hours, while an antenna or DVD player can still work. Keep the kids’ profiles, viewing limits and PINs in your streaming apps so those rules apply whenever the TV is online.
Check Whether You Can Lock The TV’s Web Browser
Some smart TVs sold in Canada come with a built in web browser, and others let you install one. Open the Apps menu and look for Internet, Web Browser or Silk. Check any connected streaming device, too. The options vary by model and software version.
LG webOS: On supported models, select Web Browser under Application Lock to require a PIN. Some models also offer Site Filtering if you want to allow only specific websites. https://www.lg.com/content/dam/channel/wcms/au/support/esafety/LG-Smart-TVs.pdf
Samsung Smart TV: Go to Apps → App Settings, select Internet, and choose Lock if it appears. https://www.samsung.com/ca/support/tv-audio-video/install-an-app-on-your-samsung-tv/
Hisense VIDAA: Look under Settings → System → Parental Control for App Block. Some models list the browser there. Check the menu on your exact model. https://www.hisense-canada.com/support/support
Fire TV, including some Insignia and TCL models: Open Internet to find Silk’s parental controls. If your Fire TV offers a PIN for opening apps, turn it on and test whether Silk asks for it. https://digprjsurvey.amazon.com/csad/help/node/T0KC6MtUZYTMa4X1U0 · https://digprjsurvey.amazon.com/csad/help/node/GJF9SGT5262FJLQE
Google TV: On models that support kids’ profiles, leave browser apps off the child’s allowed-app list and turn on the profile lock so an adult’s PIN or password is needed to exit. https://support.google.com/googletv/answer/10070481?hl=en
Sony BRAVIA TVs vary by model: Sony Canada says its Google TV and Android TV models don’t come with a preinstalled web browser, but a browser app may be available through Google Play. Some older BRAVIA models have a built-in Internet Browser. Sony Canada’s browser guide
Sony with Google TV: If your model supports a kids’ profile, leave any browser app off the allowed-app list and turn on the profile lock. https://support.google.com/googletv/answer/10070481?hl=en
Sony with Android TV: On supported models, go to Quick Settings → Parental controls → Apps and select the installed browser to require a PIN. https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/support/articles/00262175
Older Sony BRAVIA with a built-in browser: Look under Settings → System Settings → Parental Lock for Internet Browser/Video Lock or Internet Browser/Video Block: If the option appears, turn it on and try opening the browser again to check that it asks for the PIN. https://helpguide.sony.net/gbmig/C5141001/v1/eng/c_parent_netaccess.html
Once you’ve changed the settings, close the browser and try opening it again from the same screen your child uses. If you stream through a separate device, repeat the test there.
Make The TV Part Of Your Family’s Screen Use Plan
The next time you pick up the remote, start with the TV and the apps your child uses most. Set viewing limits that fit their age and use your router’s schedule if you want streaming to stop at bedtime. Revisit those settings when you add a new app or streaming device, or when your child is ready for more independence.
Most importantly, make sure your child knows they can come to you if something on the screen scares or confuses them. A simple “You can always tell me what you saw, even if you opened it by accident” can make that conversation easier to start.
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