User control mode of a companion application

A computing system for enabling a user control mode of a companion application, comprising:

• one or more memories;
• and
• at least one processor each coupled to at least one of the memories and configured to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a selection of a category of content on a media device, wherein the content comprises contextual information, and wherein the media device is controlled by the companion application operated by a user;
• and
• in response to the receiving the selection, enabling the user control mode of the companion application, comprising:
• identifying the user as a child based on the selection of the category of content, a media stream currently selected on the media device, or a determination of an identity of the user;
• enabling the user control mode of the companion application based on the identification of the user as a child;
• determining a control context for the companion application based on the contextual information;
• causing a user interface of the companion application to be modified based on the control context;
• and
• providing for displaying the modified user interface of the companion application.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one computing device, cause the at least one computing device to perform operations comprising:

• receiving a selection of a category of content on a media device, wherein the content comprises contextual information, and wherein the media device is controlled by the companion application operated by a user;
• and
• in response to the receiving the selection, enabling a user control mode of the companion application, comprising:
• identifying the user as a child based on the selection of the category of content, a media stream currently selected on the media device, or a determination of an identity of the user;
• enabling the user control mode of the companion application based on the identification of the user as a child;
• determining a control context for the companion application based on the contextual information;
• causing a user interface of the companion application to be modified based on the control context;
• and
• providing for displaying the modified user interface of the companion application.