App · Medium risk

Is HBO Max safe for your child?

Age guide

13+

We advise HBO Max from age 13 and up. Overall risk 5/10 (medium risk).

5-8
Younger children will primarily engage with the Kids Profile, which filters content based on set ratings like TV-Y or TV-G, featuring shows like Sesame Street or Looney Tunes.
9-12
Children in this age range might access content up to TV-PG or PG, encountering more complex narratives and themes within the Kids Profile, such as animated adventure series.
13-15
Teenagers may be granted access to TV-14 or PG-13 content, exposing them to more mature themes, language, and violence found in shows like 'Young Justice' or certain DC movies, often requiring a parent's PIN to switch to an adult profile if not directly allowed.
16+
Older teens can access the full library, including R-rated movies and TV-MA series, which feature explicit content, strong language, and mature subject matter, often without parental oversight if they have their own adult profile or access to a shared one.

HBO Max is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of films, television shows, and exclusive content from various networks, including HBO and Warner Bros. It features a diverse library of genres, including action, drama, comedy, and children's programming. Parents should be aware that while there are family-friendly options, much of the content is intended for mature audiences and may not be suitable for younger viewers.

Age guide
13+
Overall risk
5/10
Violence
6/10
Toxic behaviour
5/10
Stranger contact
1/10
Addiction risk
7/10
Language
7/10
Influence
6/10

What parents should know

HBO Max offers a diverse range of content, from preschool shows to adult dramas. Utilizing Kids Profiles and PIN protection is crucial for managing what content children can access. Regular conversations about age-appropriate viewing help reinforce responsible media consumption.

What to do about HBO Max

Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.

  • The age-by-age verdict
    What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for HBO Max is 13+, and the answer changes with your child's age.
  • The one setting to change tonight
    The exact HBO Max setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it.
  • What to say
    Word-for-word openers for talking about HBO Max without a row.
  • Red flags to watch for
    The signals in HBO Max that mean it is time to step in.
See what to change tonight

HBO Max age rating and parents guide: common questions

What age rating is HBO Max?

Parentwise puts HBO Max at 13+. We advise HBO Max from age 13 and up. Overall risk 5/10 (medium risk). Violence scores 6/10, language 7/10, stranger contact 1/10 and addiction risk 7/10.

Can a 10 year old use HBO Max?

Not by default: we advise HBO Max from 13+, so at 10 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Children in this age range might access content up to TV-PG or PG, encountering more complex narratives and themes within the Kids Profile, such as animated adventure series.

Can a 12 year old use HBO Max?

Not by default: we advise HBO Max from 13+, so at 12 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Children in this age range might access content up to TV-PG or PG, encountering more complex narratives and themes within the Kids Profile, such as animated adventure series.

Can a 13 year old use HBO Max?

Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for HBO Max (13+). Teenagers may be granted access to TV-14 or PG-13 content, exposing them to more mature themes, language, and violence found in shows like 'Young Justice' or certain DC movies, often requiring a parent's PIN to switch to an adult profile if not directly allowed.

Is HBO Max appropriate for kids?

HBO Max offers a diverse range of content, from preschool shows to adult dramas. Parentwise rates HBO Max overall as medium risk (5/10), with stranger contact at 1/10 and addiction risk at 7/10.

Is HBO Max family friendly?

HBO Max sits in the middle: fine with settings changed and an occasional check-in. Utilizing Kids Profiles and PIN protection is crucial for managing what content children can access.

HBO Max parents guide: what should a parent know first?

HBO Max offers a diverse range of content, from preschool shows to adult dramas. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (1/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (7/10).

Is HBO Max safe for kids?

We advise HBO Max from age 13 and up. Overall risk 5/10 (medium risk). Utilizing Kids Profiles and PIN protection is crucial for managing what content children can access.

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Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.