Internet, Networking, & Security > Family Tech

How to Use Firestick Parental Controls

Use Amazon FreeTime and other tools to protect the kids

By

Jeremy Laukkonen

Updated on May 31, 2022

What to Know

Switch the TV input to the Firestick and go to Settings > Preferences > Parental Controls.
Select Parental Controls OFF. Enter your PIN and choose OK.
Choose the controls to activate. Select Viewing Restrictions to set specific content restrictions.

This article explains how to access and set up the Parental Controls for a Firestick on the Amazon FreeTime app.

How to Enable Parental Controls on Your Firestick

Firestick is a television streaming device that allows you to access your Prime Video content, use apps like Netflix and Hulu, and even play games. Firestick comes with basic parental controls built in. You only need to know your Amazon parental control personal identification number (PIN). If you don't have a PIN set up, go to the parental control section of your Amazon account.

Here's how to turn on parental controls on a Firestick:

Switch your TV input to your Firestick and navigate to Settings.
Select Preferences.
Select Parental Controls.
Select Parental Controls OFF.

Skip to step seven if this screen says Parental Controls ON and shows a list of controls.
Enter your PIN.

If you don't know your PIN or don't remember setting one up, navigate to amazon.com/pin and set one up. You can't use Firestick parental controls without a PIN.
Select OK to continue.
Choose which controls you want to activate. If it says ON underneath a control, that means it's active.
To set specific content restrictions, select Viewing Restrictions.
Select your desired viewing restrictions. If there is a lock icon next to a category, your kids won't be able to watch the corresponding programs without your PIN.
Parental controls have been set up, and you're ready for your kids to use your Firestick.

Setting Up Amazon FreeTime on a Firestick

Amazon FreeTime is an app you can install on your Firestick and other Android devices to control the content your child can access. It provides additional parental controls, such as the ability to limit screen time across multiple devices. It is essentially a replacement for the main Firestick interface. It's capable of locking your kids out of inappropriate content and provides access to age-appropriate apps and videos.

Once the FreeTime app is active, your child won't be able to return to the regular Firestick interface unless they know your PIN.

Here's how to install and set up FreeTime on your Firestick:

Download and install Amazon FreeTime on your device.

You can search for FreeTime on your Firestick, or just add it to your account directly from the Amazon appstore.
Launch FreeTime on your Firestick.
Select Get Started.
Enter your PIN.
Enter your child's information and then select Continue.
Select the children you want to be able to view Prime Video content, if any, and select Continue.
Choose individual titles to make available to your child, or choose Select all Kid's Titles to automatically select appropriate content.
Scroll down, and select Continue.

FreeTime is now set up on your Firestick for your child. You can repeat this process to add profiles for additional children if you like, or simply launch FreeTime to switch from regular Firestick mode to FreeTime mode.

As long as the FreeTime app is active, your child will be restricted to appropriate content, and you'll also enjoy other perks like the ability to limit their screen time.

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