Is Disney Plus Safe for Kids?

Did you know there’s explicit content on Disney+?

Disney+ has quickly become one of the most popular streaming services, offering a vast library of movies, TV shows, and exclusive content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.

With its family friendly reputation, many parents assume Disney+ is a safe and entertaining option for children of any age. However, like any online streaming service, it’s important for parents to understand the different types of content found on the platform, and how to use Disney+ settings effectively to keep their kids safe. 

Disney+ can be a wonderful platform when used appropriately. Its extensive library of beloved films and shows brings joy and entertainment to the whole family, effortlessly fostering quality time and creating lasting memories, without having stacks and stacks of VHS or DVDs to sift through. 

What is Disney Plus?

Disney+ is a subscription-based streaming service that launched in November 2019. With its easy-to-use interface and ad-free experiences, Disney+ is designed to cater to all age groups, making it a popular choice for family entertainment. It features content from Disney’s extensive catalog, including:

• Classic animated films – Cinderella, Aladdin, The Lion King
• Live action movies – Cruella, Peter Pan & Wendy, Pirates of the Caribbean
• Recent blockbusters – Avatar, Encanto, Deadpool
• Original series – The Mandalorian, Loki, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Documentaries – Limitless, Welcome to Earth, 9/11 One Day in America

Disney+ is only one part of The Walt Disney Company’s media portfolio, which also includes Hulu, ABC, ESPN, and 20th Century Studios. 

The Disney+ library is vast, with over 500 movies, 15,000 episodes, and 80 Disney Plus Originals. New content is regularly added. 

Original Content

Disney+ has created content that can’t be found anywhere else, such as The Mandalorian, and WandaVision.

Offline Viewing

Subscribers can download content to watch offline, which is perfect for long trips or areas with limited internet access.

Multiple Profiles

Disney+ allows up to seven profiles per account, each with personalized recommendations and watchlists. Different parental controls can also be set for each account.

Explicit Content on Disney Plus

Much of the library is not what most parents would think of when they think of Disney. Movies such as Deadpool and Logan are R-rated and contain nudity, explicit language, and graphic violence. Shows like Luke Cage and Daredevil are rated TV-MA for violence, drug material, and sex scenes. 

Hulu Content on Disney Plus: Not So Kid Friendly

At the beginning of 2024, Hulu on Disney Plus launched — this feature allows subscribers of both Hulu and Disney+ to watch all Hulu content directly within the Disney+ app. If users have their Hulu account attached to their Disney+ account, much more adult content is accessible to users outside the normal Disney lineup.

At the time this article was published, R-rated movies like Joker, Fight Club, Poor Things, 300, and Hustlers were available on Disney+ with a Hulu connection. TV-MA shows like Atlanta, South Park, and American Horror Story were also available.

How to Change Parental Controls on Disney Plus

To keep Disney+ appropriate for your kids and family standards, parents should utilize the platform’s parental controls.

1. Create Kids Profiles: When setting up profiles, select the “Junior Mode” option. This restricts the content to titles appropriate for children and simplifies the interface for easier navigation.

2. Profile PIN: Set up a profile PIN to prevent kids from accessing adult profiles or changing settings. This can be done by going to the profile settings and turning on “Profile PIN.”

3. Content Ratings: Disney+ uses content ratings to guide parents on the suitability of movies and shows. Profiles set to Junior Mode will automatically filter out any content not rated G or PG. For other profiles, parents can choose to allow up to a certain rating. For example, if choosing to allow PG-13, it will also allow other content rated below such as PG and G.
   • Rating options include: TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-Y7-FV, G+TV-G, PG, TV-PG, PG-13, TV-14, R, TV-MA.

4. Exit Questions: Enable “Kid-Proof Exit” on kids’ profiles. This adds an additional step when trying to switch profiles by relying on kids to read the question and answering it before being allowed to exit the current profile. 

5. Monitor Viewing History: Regularly check the viewing history in your child’s profile to ensure they are watching appropriate content.

Tips for Safe Viewing

Talk with your kids about what they’re watching and why they choose certain shows or movies. This can help you gauge their interests and ensure they’re viewing appropriate content.

Establish rules for how much time can be spent on Disney+ to promote a healthy balance of screen time and other activities. Consider keeping “Autoplay” off (found in profile settings) to prevent the next video from playing automatically for a more intentional viewing experience and to bring awareness of time spent watching.

Co-viewing is a great way to bond with your children and also monitor what they’re watching. It provides opportunities to discuss the content and its messages.

Help your kids create a watchlist of approved shows and movies. This ensures they have a go-to list of content that you’ve pre-approved.

It’s also a good idea to consider checking for new releases on Disney+ to be aware of any new content that might interest or concern your kids.

Disney+ is a fantastic resource for family entertainment, but keep in mind that it does offer a wide range of content, including R-rated movies. By utilizing the platform’s parental controls and following some simple safety tips, parents can ensure a safe and enjoyable viewing experience for their children. 

Whether it’s watching the latest Pixar movie, exploring the Marvel universe, or learning from National Geographic documentaries, Disney+ can be a valuable tool for both entertainment and education.

Does your family use Disney+? What are some of your favorite shows or movies to watch together? Let us know in the comments below.