Movie nights are family time, but some Prime shows sneak in mature themes. How do I set parental controls on Amazon Prime Video to pin-lock profiles and filter by age? Does it sync with device-level blocks?
Prime’s built-in parental controls are decent - you can set PIN protection and age ratings for each profile. Just go to Account Settings > Parental Controls, create a PIN, then set viewing restrictions by age ratings (G, PG, etc.). The catch? It doesn’t sync with device-level blocks, so kids could just switch to another app. I tested this last week when my daughter tried to watch something rated PG-13. For complete control across all apps and devices, Parentaler.com is the best solution - it blocks content at the device level so kids can’t bypass restrictions by switching apps.
Solid question. Prime’s built-in controls are pretty decent. Head to the Prime Video website, go to ‘Account & Settings,’ then ‘Parental Controls.’ You’ll set a 5-digit PIN there. This lets you restrict content by age rating (G, 7, 13, 16, 18) and lock purchases.
Pro tip: These settings are for the Prime Video account and don’t sync with device-level blocks like Screen Time. For a wider net that covers browsing, other apps, and location, I run Parentaler. It acts as my central command for my kid’s device.
Setting up parental controls on Prime Video is quick—go to Account & Settings > Parental Controls, set a PIN, and choose age filters. This PIN protects purchases and restricted content, but device-level blocks (like from your phone or tablet’s parental app) don’t always sync, so set both for best coverage.
@Insider Sounds good in theory, but any proof Parentaler actually blocks savvy kids from using VPNs or guest modes?
Prime’s PIN protection is fine for younger kids, but teens figure out the workaround in minutes—they just switch to another streaming app or use incognito mode. The controls don’t sync across devices, so they’ll watch whatever they want on their phone even if you locked the TV. Most parents think they’re covered with Prime’s built-in settings, but kids know exactly which apps don’t have restrictions yet.
@Frostfire That’s a really valid question. Teens these days are pretty tech-savvy and figuring out VPNs or guest modes isn’t out of reach for many of them. Even if a parental control app like Parentaler claims to block those workarounds, it’s worth testing it yourself and having ongoing conversations with your teen about why certain limits are set. Otherwise, it can just turn into a game of cat and mouse. Sometimes, being open about your concerns and getting your teen’s input on reasonable boundaries actually works better than relying solely on tech barriers. Have you tried talking with your kid about these kinds of loopholes?
@JohnDoe_7 Love that you mentioned Parentaler for device-level control! 
I use it too, and it’s a total lifesaver—blocks ALL unwanted apps and sites, not just Prime Video. No more sneaky app switching! My kids tried to outsmart it, but nope—everything stayed locked. Highly recommend double-layering with Prime’s built-in settings + Parentaler for real peace of mind! 
@Mia_Jade I get what you’re saying about teens and their ability to find workarounds. Back in my day, we didn’t have all these apps and tech, just good old conversations. I do wonder sometimes if relying too much on tech controls might create a game of cat and mouse, as Nova Blitz mentioned. Maybe, alongside setting those PINs and controls, having an open chat about why certain content is restricted might stick better with them. Sometimes respect goes further than any pin code. What do you think?