The smart speaker that reads stories, helps kids with their homework and blocks explicit lyrics
"Alexa, open Amazon Kids"
If you haven’t yet been introduced to the world of smart speakers, listen up, because we’re obsessed.
A smart speaker is a voice-activated device, within which is a virtual assistant, that helps you with everyday tasks. For example, Amazon’s smart speakers use an assistant called Alexa and when you ask questions like, ‘Alexa, what is today’s weather?’ or ‘Alexa, how do I boil and egg?’, she will respond.
A smart speaker can also play your favourite music, monitor appointments, make shopping list and so much more.
Previously, kids could access content on their parents’ smart speaker but now there’s a way to make it safe for kids to use.
Amazon Kids on Alexa, available on Echo smart speakers and Echo Show devices, has been designed to help kids learn, play and grow, while being entertained at home.
Once set up, kids can explore features by saying, ‘Alexa, open Amazon Kids’.
Parents can control the experience through an easy-to-use Parent Dashboard, where they can monitor activity, set time limits, add content and more.
The experience will allow kids 12 years and under to discover fun, child-directed content with Alexa – from sing-alongs to playing games, and telling jokes – while ensuring parents can fully manage and control the experience.
Now kids can get in on the smart speaker action: “Alexa, open Amazon Kids”
“While Alexa’s been keeping Aussie homes organised, entertained and connected, the youngest members of the household have increasingly become curious and interested in engaging with Alexa in their own way,” said Kate Gooden, Head of Product, Amazon Alexa ANZ.
“We’re excited to launch Amazon Kids on Alexa in Australia, joining the 20 million kids and parents around the world who are already using the service. We can now provide mums and dads peace of mind in knowing that their kids are getting child-directed content, and new kid skills in an environment that parents can easily manage via our Parent Dashboard tools.”
With parental controls enabled, on the Echo Show, Alexa will automatically give kid-friendly responses, filter explicit songs and block shopping.
Amazon Kids on Alexa brings child-friendly Alexa features, content, settings and parental controls to Amazon Echo smart speakers or Echo Show devices, including:
- Block Songs with Explicit Lyrics: Automatically filter songs with explicit lyrics from Amazon Music, Apple Music or Spotify — so children can discover new songs or listen to their favourite tunes.
- Time Limits: Set bedtime and time limits to prevent kids interacting with Alexa late into the night, or simply pause Echo devices for dinner or homework time.
- Add or Remove Services and Content: Use the Parent Dashboard and Alexa app to choose which services and skills kids can use. Voice purchasing is blocked by design.
- Household Communication: Amazon Kids on Alexa also allows for household announcements, calling, messaging, and Drop In within the home – no more shouting through the house that dinner is ready.
- Activity Review: The Parent Dashboard also allows parents to see their kid’s Alexa activity, plus review their voice recordings in the Alexa app. Kids can also ask Alexa questions about their favourite school subjects like science, maths, or geography or request guidance on spelling or word definitions while they’re working through homework.
Since Alexa is built in the cloud and always getting smarter, it continues to learn every day. With Amazon Kids on Alexa, kids can also enjoy fun experiences from ABC Kids, Kinderling Kids, Nickelodeon, and more.
