Four year old wants an Alexa for Christmas

[QueenoftheDay]

Is this a stupid idea? Because it’s down to £35 on Amazon just now and I can’t decide whether to order it for her or not.

She was at my sisters house today and they were playing with Alexa there. She was asking her sums and spelling and playing Disney songs etc. She has not stopped talking about Alexa since we got home.

I’m just not sure. I mean it would need to stay downstairs in the living room or kitchen because I don’t think I’d want her to have it unsupervised (is that daft? I don’t actually know much about them!) but then it seems like it isn’t really a gift for her. But then I wouldn’t even have considered buying one if she hadn’t been so keen?

Any thoughts??

A four year old doesn't need Alexa. Just because she wants it doesn't mean you should get it.

I personally wouldn't. We have one as my DP wanted one. Novelty wore off after a week. It's now sat not doing anything and had to be turned off because it randomly starts talking when you are having a conversation even if you haven't said "Alexa". I think it's a complete waste of money especially for a four year old but that's my opinion x

No I get that. I don’t just buy her everything she wants. She actually doesn’t ask for much 🤷🏻‍♀️

Fuck that. Why would you want everything said in your house monitored and fed back to Amazon?

@NeedAnExpert I'm sure it must listen in on conversations 😂. Ours randomly starts talking

In contrast, my 4 year olds love ours. In fact it has migrated into their playroom and they use it every day to play the songs they want to listen to. Ours was free with our broadband but having seen how much they enjoy it I’d say it might be a great present

Well this was what had appealed to me about it. She loves her songs. We play her music in the car etc. I just can’t really see the harm in it

No i wouldn't bother. I was looking at a music speaker for my 6 year old and found the Vtech kidi concert and that has disco lights, does games etc. It is cheaper and i think a much safer option!

Why not buy Alexa for the house for everyone and get her something else. We have Alexa in several rooms. The kids use her for music mainly.

It does help with getting them dressed etc and for my littlest dd(1) who is pretty much non verbal at almost 2, she tries to say her name and signs what she wants to play.

We have great fun with Alexa, but get her something she really wants and this as a present for the family from Santa! Something everyone can enjoy. And wait until Black Friday. It usually comes down again with plugs etc

I wouldn't. There's so many videos online of alexa mishearing and playing something inappropriate. Hopefully she will forget about it!

I am afraid it is going to be full of Alexa haters.

I am a childminder and we use Alexa for music but pay monthly subscription for that but we use it ourselves too . We do ask Alexa animal noises, various questions

My Ds had one at 11 and does use it for various things but none really for 4 year okds

We got one when DS was 5 and it lives in the kitchen. He loves it now 2 years on and uses it most days. He loves playing the animal game with her the most!

He also enjoys asking her to play music for him or he asks her facts. He's also a child that never asks for anything more than a chocolate bar and we struggle with gifts for him but he loves this!

I got one for my husband last year and my kids use it quite frequently. You’ll need a subscription to either amazon music of Spotify premium for it to play songs on request though. My kids (slightly older than yours but the youngest was 4, almost 5, when we got it) also like asking it the weather, asking it to do sums, and tell jokes and stuff. They mostly just use it for music though.

I'm sure it must listen in on conversations

Of course it does. It listens constantly for its name.

And amazon is listening in too.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-10/is-anyone-listening-to-you-on-alexa-a-global-team-reviews-audio

I got an Alexa for Christmas last year and the kids use it more than me. They mostly use it for playing music and doing tricks/ telling jokes etc. If she wants one I would get her one, its the modern equivalent of a CD player or at least that’s how it is used in my house 🤷‍♀️

I research big data and the increasing dataveillance of childhood, as part of my profession. It’s far more sinister than you may realise - our lives in Platform societies. No question of Alexa, google nest or any such entering our house.

I just think it's not a decision for a 4yo to make - it has an impact on the household that not everyone may like. Buy one for the house if you want, but not a child, I'd say.

NB, my husband refuses to have one - he works in technology and does not trust them one bit!

She’s not deciding. She asked if I thought Santa would bring her an Alexa. I said I didn’t know and that he might think she’s a bit young. I will decide.

I quite like the idea of buying it “for us all”

I, as an adult, love mine - and thing a four year old would get benefit.

amazon.co.uk/amazon-echo-flex-plug-in-smart-speaker-with-alexa/dp/B07PDJ9JFF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PDDQ6IENPPNI&keywords=alexa+flex&qid=1574030764&sprefix=alexa+flex%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1]]
this is the latest and is £10 cheaper at £25 ish.

Unless you are spouting secrets then I really don't think there is a security issue

We have multiple Alexas (but not in certain rooms). My kids - both KS2 so a bit older than yours - like theirs. They play music mainly.

My almost 3 year old loves our Alexa. The only issue we have is having to listen to baby shark or Blippi songs on repeat! Lol.

There's soo many games, stories, songs for kids, it's really good.

I use it for listening to music, keeping a shopping list, reminders, alarms, dropping in on older DCs Alexa, calm my dog function (plays calming music) only had it a couple of months but wouldn't be without it now!

I'm getting my 6 year old boy one for Christmas, he loves mine, he loves music!

I would! DS loves ours. We mainly use it as a music player.

BUT wait til Black Friday. They were £25 last year

When is Black Friday