Amazon Prime Video Parental Controls

Amazon Prime Video offers a vast library of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals, making it a popular choice for families. However, ensuring that children only access age-appropriate content is paramount. Amazon Prime Video provides robust parental control features, allowing you to restrict content based on age ratings and manage access across individual devices.

These safety settings are vital for peace of mind. Without them, children might inadvertently access content beyond their years. By taking a few simple steps, you can create a safe viewing environment for every member of your household.

Understanding the Restrictions Available on Prime Video

Prime Video’s parental controls are designed to give you precise control over what can be watched and purchased

Viewing Restrictions: Block content based on maturity ratings (U, PG, 12, 15, 18 in the UK; G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17 in the US). You can set a maximum rating that can be watched without a PIN.
Purchase/Rental Restrictions: Require a PIN for any purchases or rentals of movies, TV shows, or Prime Video Channels.
Device-Specific Application: Apply viewing restrictions to specific devices (e.g., a child’s tablet, a living room TV), ensuring tailored access.
Profile Locking: (Newer feature for enhanced privacy) You can set a PIN to lock specific Prime Video profiles, preventing others from accessing them.

Setting Up Your Prime Video Parental Controls and Viewing Restrictions

The primary way to manage Prime Video parental controls is through your Amazon account on a web browser or directly within the Prime Video app.

Creating Your Prime Video PIN (Essential First Step)

This 5-digit PIN is the key to managing your restrictions

On the Web (Recommended for Initial Setup):

- Go to amazon.com/video (or your regional Amazon site like amazon.co.uk/video).
- Sign In: If not already signed in, enter your Email address and account Password.
- Access Account & Settings: Hover over your profile name in the top right corner and select “Account & Settings.”
- Go to Parental Controls: From the top menu, select “Parental Controls.”
- Create Your Prime Video PIN: Under “Prime Video PIN,” click “Change” (or “Create” if it’s your first time).
- Enter PIN: Enter a 5-digit PIN and click “Save.”

Via Prime Video App (Mobile/Smart TV):

- Open the Prime Video app on your device (smartphone, tablet, Smart TV).
- Go to Settings: Look for the “Settings” or gear icon (often found by tapping your profile icon or in a menu).
- Select Parental Controls: Choose “Parental Controls.”
- Change Prime Video PIN: Select “Change Prime Video PIN” and follow the on-screen instructions to create or modify it. You may need to enter your Amazon account password.

Setting Up Purchase Restrictions

This prevents unauthorized buying or renting of content

On the Web:

- Go to amazon.com/video and sign in.
- Go to “Account & Settings” > “Parental Controls.”
- Under “Purchase Restrictions,” ensure the setting is “On” (or toggle it to “On” if it’s off).
- Click “Save.”
- Note: This requires your Prime Video PIN for all purchases/rentals on your account across all devices where the PIN is enabled.

Setting Up Viewing Restrictions by Age Category and Device

This allows you to filter content based on its maturity rating

On the Web (Recommended for Comprehensive Control):

- Go to amazon.com/video and sign in.
- Go to “Account & Settings” > “Parental Controls.”
- Under “Viewing Restrictions,” select the highest age rating you want to allow without a PIN. Any content rated above this will require your PIN.
  - Common Ratings (Vary by Region – UK examples shown, US equivalents exist):
    - U (Universal Content – Suitable for all)
    - PG (Parental Guidance – Some content may not be suitable for under 12)
    - 12 (Suitable for 12 years and over)
    - 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over)
    - 18 (Suitable only for adults)
- Apply to Devices: Below the age selection, you’ll see a list of your registered Prime Video devices. Select which specific devices you want these viewing restrictions to apply to.
- Click “Save” to update your settings.

Via Prime Video App (Mobile/Smart TV):

- Open the Prime Video app.
- Go to “Settings” (or “My Stuff” then “Settings”).
- Select “Parental Controls” > “Viewing Restrictions.”
- Choose the desired age restriction and the devices you want it to apply to.
- Tap “Save.”
- Note: Viewing restrictions set here typically apply only to the device you set them on, whereas purchase restrictions from the web apply account-wide.

Managing Profiles (Optional but Recommended)

While not strictly a “parental control” in the restriction sense, creating separate profiles can help organize content and even enable “Kids Profiles” with built-in filters.

On the Web:
- Hover over your profile icon in the top-right and select “Manage Profiles.”
- You can “Add Profile” and choose to make it a “Kid’s profile” which automatically limits content to age-appropriate viewing.
- You can also set a “Profile PIN” to lock your own adult profiles.

Important Considerations

Device-Specific vs. Account-Wide: Remember that Prime Video purchase restrictions apply to your entire Amazon account once set, while viewing restrictions can be applied device-by-device.
Fire TV Devices: Amazon Fire TV devices have their own separate parental control settings that you’ll need to manage directly on the Fire TV device itself for broader system-level restrictions (e.g., blocking apps, setting screen time for the Fire TV). Prime Video settings are for content within the Prime Video app.
Keep Your PIN Secure: Ensure your Prime Video PIN is kept confidential to prevent bypass of the restrictions.

For more information about Children of the Digital Age and broader digital safety, please click here

Children of the Digital Age