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A Smart Speaker Especially for Kids?

Posted September 13, 2018 10:00 AM by Reese

Amazon brought a new version of their Echo Dot product to market this year – and it’s especially for kids! Of course they offer parents peace of mind with parental controls and a dashboard that shows exactly how the Echo Dot Kids Edition is being used.

Children can hear stories, play age-appropriate music, ask Alexa questions, and even control smart home devices. It’s like having an extra resource at the ready when your child asks a question you don’t know the answer to, a quick supply of their favorite song when you need a rest before singing the next verse, and a means to turn on a light when they have a bad dream before you can even get there to check under the bed for monsters. A techie mommy’s helper, if you will!

Has anyone tried it out yet? If so, how old are the kids using it, and are they enjoying their new tech?

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#1

Re: A Smart Speaker Especially for Kids?

09/13/2018 1:28 PM

I like the idea that a child can control smart home devices with this speaker -- provided he or she won't mess around and turn the thermostat to tropical temperatures or commit other mischiefs. We manage our (admittedly few) smart devices with a smartphone app that isn't easy to use. Figuring out how to change the thermostat or turn on a lamp or an outlet takes a degree from MIT. Empowering a kid to help control his environment is a great idea!

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#2

Re: A Smart Speaker Especially for Kids?

09/14/2018 9:30 AM

When I was a kid, i chose my own age appropriate music : Jimmie Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Mommas & The Poppas, etc.

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#3

Re: A Smart Speaker Especially for Kids?

09/14/2018 10:21 AM

I can just imagine this thing catching fire after the kid asks " Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? ..."

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#4

Re: A Smart Speaker Especially for Kids?

09/15/2018 6:04 AM

From a 71 YO parent's perspective.

Are you kidding? This reminds me of the TV ad where pudgy little Jimmy (or Jill) is visiting their grand ma and lounging on the couch, eating a cupcake. Kid gets done and CALLS granny, two rooms away, using their smart phone to ask her to fetch them another cupcake, instead of getting up and walking to where the grandparent is and asking, or going outside and playing.

Children (and adults) today are overweight, or outright obese, and already have smart phones and here we are giving them another way to avoid exercise by simply verbally demanding instant gratification.

Rant over.

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