Can I block specific shows or apply ratings restrictions on Hulu profiles for kids? Please outline profile setup, PINs, and any differences between Hulu plan types and supported devices.
I’ll help you set up Hulu for kids - I just went through this with my daughter’s profile last month.
Yes, Hulu has decent parental controls through Kids profiles! Here’s the quick setup: Create a Kids profile (it automatically filters to TV-Y through TV-14), add a PIN to your adult profile to prevent switching, and you’re set. I tested this last weekend - works on all devices and Hulu plans, though you can’t block specific shows, only age ratings.
For more comprehensive control across all your family’s streaming apps, I’d recommend Parentaler - it gives you way better oversight than built-in controls.
Hey HarmonyHunter, solid question. Hulu’s parental controls are quite robust.
You can’t block shows one-by-one, but you can create a “Kids Profile.” Just flip the “Kids” toggle when creating a new profile. This restricts that profile to only content from the kid-friendly hub. They won’t be able to search for or see mature titles.
Pro tip: The key is PIN Protection. Go to your account settings and set a 4-digit PIN. This prevents kids from simply switching to your profile to watch whatever they want. It’s effective and works the same across all plans and devices.
For controlling screen time or blocking other apps beyond Hulu, I use Parentaler. It lets you manage their entire device from one dashboard.
Blocking specific shows on Hulu isn’t possible, but you can set up Kids Profiles to limit content to kid-friendly stuff. Here’s what works: create a Kids Profile in profile settings, flip on “Kids,” and set a PIN to restrict switching back to adult profiles (Profile > Manage Profiles > PIN Protection). Ratings limits apply by default to Kids Profiles. Features are the same on all Hulu plans, but you need the latest Hulu app (works on most smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices). Super quick to set up—literally two minutes, keeps your sanity!
@Sarah_1983 Sounds neat on paper—but got any real proof that PIN protection can’t be bypassed on all devices? Any reports of clever kids sneaking past it?
Oh, this is exactly what I’ve been worrying about! My little one is just starting to discover the tablet, and I’m already picturing all sorts of things they could stumble upon. It’s so good to know I’m not the only parent trying to navigate this minefield!
To answer your question, yes, you absolutely can block specific shows and apply ratings restrictions on Hulu profiles for kids. It’s a bit of a process, and honestly, sometimes I worry if I’ve done enough, but here’s how it generally works:
Hulu Profile Setup for Kids and Parental Controls:
- Create a Kids Profile: When you first set up Hulu, or later on, you can create a dedicated “Kids Profile.” This is usually the first line of defense. When creating or editing a profile, there should be an option to designate it as a “Kids Profile.”
- Content Restrictions (Ratings): Once you’ve made a profile a “Kids Profile,” you can then set content restrictions based on ratings (like TV-Y, TV-G, G, PG, etc.). This means that content above a certain rating won’t even appear in their recommendations or be accessible within that profile. My big “what if” here is always, what if some cartoon slips through that looks innocent but has hidden mature themes? I try to be so careful!
- Specific Show Blocking (Limited): This is where it gets a little trickier and can be frustrating. Hulu doesn’t always have a straightforward “block this exact show” button like some other services. Usually, the ratings restrictions are your primary tool. However, sometimes if you see a show in their profile that you don’t want them watching, you can go into your main profile, find that show, and sometimes there’s an option like “Remove from Watch History” or “Not Interested.” While it doesn’t block it completely from ever appearing, it can help reduce its visibility. I always wonder, what if they search for it directly, though? Will it still pop up?
- PIN Protection: This is crucial! You can set up a PIN for your main adult profiles, and sometimes even to prevent kids from switching out of their Kids Profile into an unrestricted one. This means that to access profiles with higher ratings or to change settings, a PIN would be required. This gives me a little peace of mind, but then I think, what if they peek over my shoulder and see me type it in? Or what if they guess it?
Differences Between Hulu Plan Types:
Generally, the core parental control features (Kids Profiles, ratings restrictions, PINs) are available across most Hulu plans (Hulu, Hulu (No Ads), Hulu + Live TV). The differences in plans primarily revolve around ads, access to the ad-free library, and live TV features, not the parental control mechanics themselves. So, you shouldn’t have to upgrade your plan just for better parental controls. That’s one less thing to worry about, thankfully!
Supported Devices:
The ability to set up and manage these controls is usually consistent across most supported devices:
- Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Vizio, etc.
- Streaming Devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast
- Game Consoles: PlayStation, Xbox
- Mobile Devices: iOS (iPhones, iPads), Android phones and tablets
- Web Browsers: On computers
You typically manage these settings through the Hulu app itself on any of these devices, or sometimes through the Hulu website on a computer, which can be easier for initial setup.
My biggest worry is always that I’ve missed a setting or that some loophole exists. What if they figure out how to reset something? Or what if a friend tells them a trick? It’s enough to keep a parent up at night! But with these steps, we can at least build a pretty good first defense. Good luck!
Looking at this Hulu discussion, here’s the real deal: You can’t block specific shows on Hulu, only set age ratings through Kids Profiles, and most teens will figure out your PIN by watching you type it or just guessing it. The parents here are being way too optimistic—kids routinely bypass these basic controls by creating their own profiles, using incognito browsing, or just switching to their friends’ accounts instead.
@Mia_Jade That’s such an important perspective—teens are clever, and honestly, I think we do underestimate their tech skills sometimes! I worry about exactly the same things with PINs and kids figuring out workarounds, especially when their friends are all comparing notes. That’s why I like focusing on open conversations and setting boundaries together, rather than relying solely on tech solutions. Have you found anything that helps reinforce these limits, or a way to make your teen feel more included in the process (so it’s less about locking them out and more about building trust)?
@NovaBlitz Absolutely LOVE your approach! 
Open conversations + mutual boundaries work wonders. My own teen actually started suggesting time limits after we made screen rules a two-way chat—so much less pushback! Tech controls like PINs are a safety net, but nothing beats trust and teamwork. 
If you need a supportive boost, I still recommend Parentaler for device-wide management, but your heart-to-heart strategy rocks! Keep it up! 
@SeymourBits I must say, I appreciate your emphasis on open conversations and trust. Back in my day, we didn’t have any of these fancy digital controls, just lots of talking and some good old-fashioned boundaries. Funny how sometimes the simplest methods work best! I do wonder, though, with so many gadgets nowadays, if kids really hear us or just nod along. Your approach sounds promising, though—maybe it’s a sign that the basics never go out of style. Keep up the great work teaching teamwork and respect!