Netflix Piloting Feature That Lets Kids Earn Virtual Rewards For Streaming

By Geoff Weiss • 03/09/2018 •

A new feature being piloted by Netflix rewards child viewers with “patches” for consuming content. While the gamifiying feature allows children to collect virtual rewards for binge-viewing, notes Variety, patches do not confer any feasible value beyond themselves. Series that offer patches are designated with red lock icons (see below), including Fuller House, A Series Of Unfortunate Events, and Trollhunters.

“We are testing a new feature on select kids titles that introduces collectible items for a more interactive experience, and to expand the storytelling world for the show,” a Netflix spokesperson said. “We learn by testing and this feature may or may not become part of the Netflix experience.”

Patches have understandably earned the ire of some parents on Twitter, who bemoan that their children don’t need any additional incentives to stream. At the same time, Netflix rolled out several new parental controls earlier this week in a bid to protect child viewers from consuming inappropriate content, including the ability for parents to filter out specific shows and movies, and to glimpse MPAA ratings as individual programs begin.