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Protecting kids on Amazon requires controls across multiple devices, apps, and the home router.
Prime Video controls are consistent across platforms and involve setting up a PIN and content blocking based on ratings.
Parents can enable Amazon Kids for services like Alexa, block explicit songs on Prime Music, and use passcodes on Fire devices.
Amazon’s ecosystem of devices, applications, and services can sometimes become quite overwhelming for many modern families. Especially when trying to protect children from potentially harmful videos, music, and online material that are streamed in large volumes across apps, sites, and devices.
This guide simplifies the process for families by compiling all the parental controls for popular Amazon services like Prime Video, Alexa, and Fire devices into one place. It provides a clear roadmap to keep your kids safe online.
Setting up Parental Control on the Prime Video app across different devices is essential for managing what children can watch.
Users must log in to the application and navigate to the My Stuff section, then tap the Settings (gear icon in the upper right corner). Selecting Parental Controls allows the user to enable Touch ID or set a 5-digit PIN. Parents can also set Viewing Restrictions and block content on Prime Video based on content ratings.
The next step is to scroll to the bottom and ensure all boxes are checked so that the restrictions apply everywhere the parent’s account is logged into Amazon, including the website. To easily track a child’s viewing habits, parents should use their main Amazon account across all viewing locations, as this consolidates the child's “Continue Watching” content.
When using an Amazon Fire TV, the Prime Video app will automatically adhere to the parental controls set directly for the TV. For all other brands of Smart TVs, the Prime Video app offers the same options as the smartphone application, including viewing and purchase restrictions, as well as the ability to change the Prime Video PIN.
To access controls through a web browser, users must log in, click the three-bar menu on the left, and double-click on Prime Video. Then select the Settings option (gear icon toward the top right corner). Under the Parental Controls section, parents will find similar options as in the app, including the 5-digit PIN, purchase restrictions, and viewing restrictions.
The last step is to check the list of digital spaces displayed and confirm they are all selected; these are the points where the Amazon Prime Video controls will be implemented.
Managing content across other Amazon services requires different steps. You can follow the instructions below:
Unfortunately, Amazon’s shopping application and the website’s shopping section don’t have a specific Parental Control option. This lack of segmentation has led to organizations like NCOSE targeting Amazon to encourage it to better separate mature items for sale, as such products can sometimes appear unexpectedly in otherwise innocent searches. Parents who buy mature items should regularly review and manage their Amazon browsing history.
In the Prime Music app on a smartphone, users can access Settings by tapping the gear icon in the upper-right corner. The only available option here is to Block Explicit Songs, and it does not extend to blocking explicit podcasts.
For services like Alexa, parents can enable Amazon Kids. To do this, parents need to open the Alexa App, click on Devices, choose the device they want to control, tap the Settings icon, and scroll down to turn the Amazon Kids toggle button on. This process completes the setup. Parents can also control voice purchases, explicit music filters, and privacy settings review to get a clear picture of what data is collected by the device.
On a Fire TV, parents can access Parental Controls by selecting the gear icon in the menu bar, navigating to Account & Profile Settings, and entering a 5-digit passcode to manage content ratings and purchases. For the Fire TV Stick, often used with non-Amazon smart TVs, the device automatically applies the parental control settings configured on the main Prime Video account.
Also Read: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen): Features & Setup Guide
Implementing controls on a Kindle Fire HD involves naming the device - ideally including a parental identifier - swiping down from the top to access Settings, and enabling Parental Controls. Reviewing all the options is essential, and parents should specifically ensure the Silk browser is blocked. For a more restrictive environment, parents can consider the paid Amazon Kids+ service.
While device-specific controls are critical, the most important foundation for establishing layers of digital control is the home’s router. Ensuring the WiFi layer is protected provides a primary defense across all digital devices. A secure router allows for easy management of the home’s network from anywhere, offering the fundamental layer of protection that all other device-specific controls build upon.
Also Read: TikTok Rolls Out Powerful New Teen Safety and Parental Controls
Setting up parental controls across all of Amazon's services requires using controls at multiple levels. It might look complex in the beginning, but once parents understand the controls for Prime Video across different devices, it is easier to create a safer digital space for their kids.
By configuring these settings and using a secure home router, parents can ensure their children’s access to appropriate content while safeguarding them from harmful material. Regularly keeping up with new features and platform updates helps maintain strong online safety for kids.
1. What does parental control mean?
Parental control simply means implementing effective restrictions across different platforms to protect children from potentially harmful online material.
2. How to set Parental Controls on Amazon Prime Video?
You can easily set it via a web browser by navigating to Settings or Parental Controls, setting a PIN, and adjusting Viewing Restrictions.
3. Can parents see what you watch on Prime Video?
Yes, parents can monitor your Prime Video history.
4. Does the Amazon Shopping app have Parental Control options?
No, shopping on Amazon does not have parental control options.
