Forum Discussion

Micolata's avatar
Micolata
Reel Rookie
2 years ago
Solved

More parental controls - blocking downloads

Roku TV - I have a 5 year old and have set all the parental settings, hid menu options, deleted channels, etc... She is still able to download apps I have deleted. Either there needs to be a setting to block downloads without a my pin, or the "streaming channels" menu link needs to be hide-able like the other menu items. It is absolutely driving me crazy that it's 2024 and this is still an issue. 

  • RokuJechealR's avatar
    RokuJechealR
    2 years ago

    Hi Micolata,

    Welcome to the Roku Community!

    We can certainly understand your concern that you want to manage parental controls on the Roku device.

    We currently do not offer a global parental control setting to restrict access to content across all streaming channels. Hence, you can configure access limits based on ratings in certain situations. But we have parental control over The Roku channel and the Roku PIN feature.

    For more information, read about this: How to block content using parental controls | Official Roku Support.

    Feel free to let us know if there's anything else we can help you with.

    All the best,
    Chel

  • RokuJechealR's avatar
    RokuJechealR
    10 months ago

    Thanks for the response, Micolata.

    We're sorry to hear that your 5-year-old child can reinstall the deleted channels on your Roku device.

    Since we currently do not offer a global parental control setting to restrict access to content across all streaming channels. Roku PIN allows you to control what can be purchased and added to your Roku streaming device. It can also be a parental control feature to keep children from watching certain content on The Roku Channel.

    Note: The PIN controls apply only to subscriptions purchased directly from Roku or The Roku Channel.

    Use the following instructions to create or reset your Roku PIN:

    • Sign in to your Roku account
    • Under PIN Preference, select Update
    • To set up a PIN, select Create a PIN
    • To reset an existing Roku PIN, select Change PIN

    On the other hand, thanks for sharing your thoughts. We value your feedback as our valued customer. We always aim to provide our customers with the best streaming experience and convenience when using our services.

    We'll pass this along to the appropriate Roku team for review. Once again, thank you so much for your feedback; we value your input.

    All the best,
    Chel

10 Replies

  • Ldubbs's avatar
    Ldubbs
    Reel Rookie
    12 months ago

    Hard agree. Parental controls are lacking. The 4 digit pin has work around. The app on the phone isn't secure and easily changed without so much as pin or password, anything. 

    I've heard fire tv has better controls and I'm considering dumping roku for competitor if the don't step their game up. 

    Disappointed in these major companies who only seem to care abt profit. 

    Protect the kids!!!! 

      • RokuJechealR's avatar
        RokuJechealR
        Retired Moderator
        10 months ago

        Thanks for the response, Micolata.

        We're sorry to hear that your 5-year-old child can reinstall the deleted channels on your Roku device.

        Since we currently do not offer a global parental control setting to restrict access to content across all streaming channels. Roku PIN allows you to control what can be purchased and added to your Roku streaming device. It can also be a parental control feature to keep children from watching certain content on The Roku Channel.

        Note: The PIN controls apply only to subscriptions purchased directly from Roku or The Roku Channel.

        Use the following instructions to create or reset your Roku PIN:

        • Sign in to your Roku account
        • Under PIN Preference, select Update
        • To set up a PIN, select Create a PIN
        • To reset an existing Roku PIN, select Change PIN

        On the other hand, thanks for sharing your thoughts. We value your feedback as our valued customer. We always aim to provide our customers with the best streaming experience and convenience when using our services.

        We'll pass this along to the appropriate Roku team for review. Once again, thank you so much for your feedback; we value your input.

        All the best,
        Chel

  • RokuJechealR's avatar
    RokuJechealR
    Retired Moderator
    2 years ago

    Hi Micolata,

    Welcome to the Roku Community!

    We can certainly understand your concern that you want to manage parental controls on the Roku device.

    We currently do not offer a global parental control setting to restrict access to content across all streaming channels. Hence, you can configure access limits based on ratings in certain situations. But we have parental control over The Roku channel and the Roku PIN feature.

    For more information, read about this: How to block content using parental controls | Official Roku Support.

    Feel free to let us know if there's anything else we can help you with.

    All the best,
    Chel

    • Tandlweiss's avatar
      Tandlweiss
      Newbie
      2 years ago

      There needs to be a way to hide mature content from the search results on the main home page. 

      • Ldubbs's avatar
        Ldubbs
        Reel Rookie
        12 months ago

        Hard agree. 

        Roku has terrible parental controls. 

        Live tv shows still have audio in background while asking for a pin and they advertise channels such as bad girls club and that can't be turned off...I can hide the channel, but it's easily changed without pin. It's almost like roku wants to expose our kids.... 

    • Kg924793's avatar
      Kg924793
      Newbie
      10 months ago

      That DOES NOT PREVENT an app being accessed. Do you not read the comments you are replying to? Parents want a way to block an app all together. It would be a VERY SIMPLE code to require a pin to download an app onto your device. 

      i am slowly getting rid of my Roku products because AFTER THREE YEARS of multiple parents requesting better controls you have DONE NOTHING to provide that to us! 

    • Micolata's avatar
      Micolata
      Reel Rookie
      10 months ago

      How about you address the actual issue instead of promoting your own channel and app in your replies?? My 5 year old can just reinstall an app I deleted without any kind of pin. All she has to do is click on a suggested program and it takes her to the page to install the app. Why are those suggestions even there?? Your company is not listening. We want improvements. I will never buy another Roku product if this isn't taken seriously. The PIN doesn't do anything!

  • ncabrera0927's avatar
    ncabrera0927
    Newbie
    10 months ago

    Live tv is not my favorite for my kids. Nastya shows or Ryans world who open presents and have  no educational content to it is TERRIBLE! How do I set a pin, so kids dont download apps? or maybe ask for pin code before they can access? my child is only 3, and no matter how many times I delete the app, it keeps coming back. I even hide the streams, this kid still find a way to download it back. Please add more parental controls!