Parental controls for smart TVs, Roku and Fire TV

The TV is the device parents forget. Most TVs and streaming sticks can't run a filter themselves, but your router can filter them for you.

Updated November 11, 2026·2 min read

Short answer

Set a PIN for purchases and mature ratings in the TV's own settings (and use kids' profiles in Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube). Then set Sheepdog Filter on your home Wi‑Fi router: it filters every TV and streaming stick, forces YouTube Restricted Mode, and can switch the TV's internet off at bedtime.

Step 1: Use the TV's own PIN

  • Roku: set a PIN at my.roku.com to approve purchases and channel additions.
  • Fire TV: Settings › Preferences › Parental Controls, then set a PIN and viewing restrictions.
  • Samsung, LG, Sony and Google TV: look for Parental controls or Content restrictions in the TV's settings, and use Google TV's kids profile if you have one.
  • Streaming apps: use the kids' profiles in Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and YouTube, and set a profile PIN on the grown-up profiles.

Step 2: Filter at the router

Roku and Fire TV don't let you change their DNS settings, and many smart TVs bury it deep. Your router is the easy answer: one setting covers every TV, stick and console in the house. See the router guides.

Once it's on, Sheepdog Filter:

  • turns on YouTube Restricted Mode (most TV YouTube apps respect it),
  • blocks adult sites in the TV's web browser,
  • and with a bedtime on your home Wi‑Fi profile, switches the TV's internet off at night.

Samsung and LG TVs

If you'd rather set it on the TV, Samsung and LG both allow a manual DNS: Samsung under Settings › General › Network › Network Status › IP Settings › DNS Setting › Enter manually, and LG under Network › Wi‑Fi Connection › Advanced Wi‑Fi Settings › Edit. Get the address from your dashboard (Devices › + Protect something › Everyone at home).

Sheepdog Filter

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Questions parents ask

Will YouTube Restricted Mode work on the TV?

In most cases, yes. Sheepdog Filter points YouTube at Google's Restricted Mode servers, which most TV YouTube apps respect. For younger kids, the YouTube Kids app is the safer choice on the TV.

Can I turn the TV's internet off at bedtime?

Yes. Put a bedtime on the home Wi-Fi in Sheepdog Filter. Streaming stops at that time; live TV from an aerial or cable box isn't affected.

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