Parents to gain more control in blocking content on Netflix

VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. — Parents and guardians, you will soon have more power over how you and your children will be able to enjoy Netflix.

Netflix is introducing a new way to block content - and it goes beyond the current setting, which sets restrictions by titles' ratings.

Griffin Edwards says, "You can't ever discount the ingenuity and creativity of kids with a little bit of time and the desire to watch some stuff on Netflix."

With four sons under nine years old, Edwards is always fighting for the remote.

"As my children are small, we give them less opportunity to prove their trust," Edwards says.

Like many parents, he uses a numeric password to block certain Netflix content branded with a 'mature' rating.

But now, he can have "PIN" control over individual shows and series.

"As a parent I'm really excited for the possibility of having a little more fine tune control over what my kids can and can't consume," says Edwards.

The soon-to-be updated settings will be global across all platforms and devices. It doesn't matter if they're watching on TV or a computer screen.

Edwards says 'let's face it.'

"Now if my kids happen to wake up early and happen to find the Netflix remote, they'll potentially have free reign if they can handle themselves, if they can navigate through the Netflix system."

The bottom line: Netflix's new PIN-blocking feature puts parents back in control. The streaming giant will also more prominently display ratings for each title.