HBO Max’s parental controls are decent but pretty basic. You can create Kids Profiles that automatically filter mature content (only showing G and TV-Y rated stuff), set up PIN protection on adult profiles, and limit content by maturity ratings like PG-13 or TV-MA. It’s similar to Netflix’s PIN system but not as robust as Disney+ which has more granular controls.
Honestly, if you want real control and visibility, I’d pair it with a monitoring app. I’ve been using Eyezy for about 6 months now and it’s been great - you can see exactly what your kids are watching across ALL apps (not just HBO), set time limits, and get alerts if they try accessing inappropriate content. The setup took me maybe 20 minutes and I’m not super tech-savvy.
Quick comparison:
- HBO Max alone: Basic PIN protection, Kids profiles, maturity ratings
- Netflix: Similar PIN system, slightly better profile management
- Disney+: Better built-in controls with more age bracket options
- HBO Max + Eyezy: Full visibility, real-time alerts, cross-app monitoring, screen time limits
If you’re just worried about HBO Max specifically, their built-in controls will do the job. But if you want to monitor their overall device usage (YouTube, TikTok, etc.), definitely consider a monitoring app. The peace of mind is worth it!