What is the Drinking Age at Disney+?

The straightforward answer is this: Disney+ does not have a drinking age. Disney+ is a streaming service delivering video content, and as such, it doesn’t inherently have an age restriction related to alcohol consumption. The legal drinking age (LDA), which is the minimum age a person can legally purchase and consume alcohol, is a legal concept enforced by governments, not streaming platforms.

Decoding Disney+ and Age Ratings

Think of Disney+ as a gigantic, magical library – a library filled with films and TV shows ranging from heartwarming classics to action-packed adventures. Like any library, it has a cataloging system, and in this case, that system is based on age ratings.

Understanding Age Ratings

Age ratings are designed to give parents and guardians a sense of what content is appropriate for different age groups. These ratings are assigned by organizations like the MPA (Motion Picture Association) in the United States and similar bodies internationally. They consider factors like violence, language, suggestive themes, and, yes, depictions of alcohol and drug use.

• G (General Audiences): Suitable for all ages.
• PG (Parental Guidance Suggested): Some material may not be suitable for young children.
• PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned): Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
• TV-Y (All Children): Designed for a very young audience.
• TV-Y7 (Directed to Older Children): Content suitable for children ages 7 and up.
• TV-G (General Audience): Suitable for all ages.
• TV-PG (Parental Guidance Suggested): May contain material parents find unsuitable for younger children.
• TV-14 (Parents Strongly Cautioned): May be unsuitable for children under 14.
• TV-MA (Mature Audience Only): Intended for adults and may not be suitable for children under 17.

Disney+ provides these ratings for each title in its catalog. When you select a movie or show, you’ll typically see the rating displayed prominently. This allows you to make informed decisions about what your children watch. Parental controls are also offered to restrict access to content based on these ratings.

How Alcohol Depiction Factors In

While Disney+ doesn’t have a “drinking age” per se, the depiction of alcohol consumption and related behaviors plays a role in how content is rated. A film showing responsible, moderate alcohol consumption might receive a lower rating than one glorifying excessive drinking or depicting underage drinking. The context matters. Is the alcohol use portrayed as harmful or celebratory? Is it normalized or explicitly condemned? These nuances factor into the overall age appropriateness assessment.

Parental Controls and Responsible Viewing

The real power lies in the parental controls Disney+ offers. These tools allow you to create profiles for each member of your household and set age restrictions on those profiles. This prevents younger viewers from accessing content that you deem inappropriate, regardless of whether or not alcohol is depicted.

Setting Up Parental Controls

Setting up parental controls on Disney+ is a straightforward process. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. Create profiles: Create a unique profile for each family member using Disney+.
2. Set age ratings: Assign an age rating to each profile. This will filter out content that exceeds that rating.
3. Profile PIN: For added security, set a PIN to prevent children from switching to adult profiles.
4. Kids Profile: Consider using the dedicated “Kids Profile,” which only displays content appropriate for younger viewers.

By utilizing these features, you can effectively manage what your children watch on Disney+ and ensure that they are not exposed to content that you consider unsuitable, including depictions of alcohol consumption.

Talking to Your Kids About Alcohol

Beyond parental controls, open communication is crucial. Talking to your children about responsible decision-making, including their attitudes toward alcohol and its potential risks, is essential. This dialogue is especially important as they get older and are exposed to more mature content, both on and off screen. Use what they see in movies and TV shows as opportunities to discuss these important issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Disney+ and Alcohol

Here are some common questions people have about Disney+ and the depiction of alcohol:

1. Does Disney+ censor content that depicts alcohol? No, Disney+ doesn’t generally censor content to remove depictions of alcohol. They rely on age ratings and parental controls to ensure viewers can make informed choices.

2. Are there any shows on Disney+ that glamorize underage drinking? It’s highly unlikely. Disney+ prioritizes family-friendly content and would avoid shows that explicitly glamorize underage drinking. However, some shows with older teens might depict social situations where alcohol is present, which is where parental guidance becomes crucial.

3. How does Disney+ compare to other streaming services regarding alcohol depictions? Disney+ is generally more cautious with depictions of alcohol than some other streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, which often target older audiences.

4. Can I request that Disney+ remove a show because it depicts alcohol? While you can provide feedback to Disney+, it’s unlikely they would remove a show solely based on depictions of alcohol if it aligns with the established age rating system.

5. What should I do if I’m concerned about a child seeing alcohol depicted on Disney+? Use parental controls to restrict access to age-appropriate content, and discuss the depictions with your child to provide context and guidance.

6. Does Disney+ have any content specifically about alcohol education? No, Disney+ does not currently offer content specifically designed for alcohol education.

7. Are there any Disney+ shows or movies that promote responsible alcohol consumption? While not explicitly promoting it, some shows might portray characters making responsible choices regarding alcohol, such as not drinking and driving.

8. If a show has a PG rating, does that mean there’s no alcohol depicted at all? Not necessarily. A PG rating indicates that some material might not be suitable for young children, but it doesn’t automatically exclude depictions of alcohol. The context and manner in which it’s shown are critical factors.

9. Do Disney+ parental controls block all content that shows alcohol? No. Parental controls block content based on age rating. Content with alcohol depiction can appear in PG-13, TV-PG or TV-14 rated content which parental controls set to block G, TV-G, PG, TV-Y7, and TV-Y rated content would still allow to be played.

10. Is the depiction of alcohol more common in Disney+ Star content? Yes, Disney+ Star, available in some regions, offers more mature content and is more likely to include depictions of alcohol compared to the core Disney+ library.

11. How often does Disney+ update its age rating system? Age rating systems are generally consistent, but Disney+ may periodically review and adjust ratings based on evolving standards and viewer feedback.

12. Where can I find more information about age ratings and parental controls on Disney+? You can find detailed information on the Disney+ help center or on the website of the organization that provides the age ratings for your region (e.g., the MPA in the United States).

In conclusion, while Disney+ itself doesn’t have a “drinking age,” its content is carefully rated to provide parents with the information they need to make informed decisions about what their children watch. By using parental controls and engaging in open communication, you can effectively manage your family’s viewing experience and ensure that it aligns with your values.