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Parents Blame Disney+ for Their Inability to Screen Out “Sex” Content

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Posted on by Jess Colopy 1 Comment
Bob Iger looking at watch with Disney+ catalog of shows in the background

Credit: Inside the Magic

Disney+ is facing significant backlash after a recent controversy involving the promotion of the adult series Dying for Sex on its landing page. Some parents have expressed outrage, claiming that the family-friendly platform should not be advertising adult content to children, leading some to cancel their subscriptions.

Michelle Williams in 'Dying for Sex' on FX Hulu and Disney+.
Credit: Video Screenshot, YouTube, Hulu

The series, which premiered on April 4, 2025, stars Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate. It follows the story of two best friends dealing with one’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Dying for Sex is based on a Wondery podcast and is available through the Hulu Disney+ bundle, not to base Disney+ subscribers.

The show is rated TV-MA and is clearly not intended for younger audiences. Disney+ offers features that allow parents to set up profiles with parental controls, including a pin for profiles that can access adult content. Despite these features, controversy erupted after the popular conservative Twitter (now X) account @LibsofTikTok shared photos of the show being advertised on the Disney+ landing page. The account wrote:

Received from multiple sources. Disney is reportedly advertising a series called “Dying for Sex” on the front page of their streaming service. One source says their 6-year-old saw it and started asking about it. I thought this application was supposed to be “family friendly.”

What’s going on @DisneyPlus?

Another parent, @ArcherSys, claimed their family canceled their Disney+ subscription after their eight-year-old saw the advertisement for Dying for Sex:

Was going to watch revenge of the sith…. My 8 year old saw this….. I’m cancelling my @DisneyPlus today. “family friendly” my ass….. I’m having to have a very uncomfortable discussion with my 8 year old son now…..

“My kids use Disney+ almost exclusively… This is outrageous,” said @bkbart80.

However, many took to social media to defend the streaming service and criticize parents for not using the platform’s available parental controls. From @reverend_joey:

parental controls that are on by default too, when they added adult content u had to OPT IN to see it

@Keltix0702 also pointed out the importance of proper profile settings:

If your child sees this YOU failed as a parent, not the company. When you open the app on your TV, it asks you to pick a profile. Kid profiles only get content rated for kids.

“Oh but my kid can just click the adult profile” Thats where you add pin codes 🙂

Others said they hadn’t seen Dying for Sex or other adult content pop up on child-locked profiles.

“My [niece] is 5, her profile doesn’t allow anything but kid shows because that’s how you control it,” @cattell84 replied.

Is the parent responsible for screening adult content from the Disney+ landing page? Inside the Magic would love to hear your opinion in the comments. 

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Tagged:Disney+

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

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