Alexas in kids bedrooms

[unlikelychump]

Do you have alexas in kids bedrooms? What do they use them for? Can you restrict one from talking to another?

I'm hoping they will stop arguments or yelling between rooms, but perhaps they will cause more!!

Why do you want them? What are you hoping they will do?

DS10 has one. He loves it for being able to play audiobooks at bed time, and for his daily schedule - he has a lot of after school clubs so then he knows what kit he needs in the evening!

No. My son deserves privacy from multinational companies in his bedroom.

We have Google speakers with the mics turned off. Mainly for playing bedtime stories/calming music. I will remove them when they figure out how easy it is to turn the mics back on though 😆

Mine have them, they use them as alarm clocks and to listen to music.
They are also handy for announcing dinner.
My kids are older teens though I’m not really sure what a younger child would use one for.

I don’t enable Alexa on any of my devices (even though I know you can’t kill it completely) and I certainly wouldn’t put any kind of devices in my kids room, what does a child need this for?

DD has one. She mostly uses it to set timers for instrument practice, reading etc., to check the weather before getting dressed and to play music. We use it to call up to her room e.g. because dinner is ready because her room is in the loft conversion so she can’t hear you yelling.

Both my children have had them since they were little. They listen to audio books at bedtime to fall asleep too and brown noise.

We have them in almost every room of the house, so we can play music

We use them to "drop in" to each other if you want to speak to people, or we can make announcements across them all

We put children's bedroom ones on, do not disturb at certain time so no announcements will go on them nobody can drop into them

We use them for audible and you can set a limit and say stop reading after 30 minutes etc

When we first got them, they were use a lot for Quizizz and silly things, but usually no it's communication and music/audible/podcasts and alarms /reminders

Alarm clocks, timers, reminders, time checks, weather, music, and so I can drop in not have to holler up the stairs

We have smart bulbs that they switch on/off adjust the brightness, colour etc. Also eldest uses it for an alarm.

Oh cool! This is what we want it for - to listen to stories/music, set alarms and announce/talk though

One ds has complicated routines including stories at night and i would like him to be independent on this. Ie I am done with it!

They aren't babies, youngest is 9

Dd has one (she is 10) she uses it for music, audible subscription, white noise or chillest music to help her sleep and I use it to call her down for dinner, give her a timer to finish playing and then doing homework.

When she forgets to turn her phone on after school and I need to get hold of her it is also very handy!

100% this. My answer to this was going to be HELL NO, but you nailed it.

The stupidest thing to have in a house and then you want it in your kids bedroom. I despair.

I used to think this, but I have moved on. This risk seems very intangible, my son's issues are very tangible and disruptive to family life.

Can you explain why you think this is a stupid thing to have in a house?
We are tracked and traced by all sorts of devices, our internet history, our purchases etc
What makes an Alexa the line for you?
I’m not being funny - I genuinely don’t understand why it’s any different to any other device.

Yes, both of mine have alexa devices in their rooms.

4 year old’s is used for audiobooks, and turning the light on and off.

Teen’s is used for audiobooks, music, photos and occasionally watching something on Netflix etc.

Not concerned about the privacy aspect at all. Their preferred bedtime stories and favourite songs aren’t exactly top-secret sensitive information.

Because to know know you're asking for your favourite song/audiobook/etc, the mics are permanently listening for the "wakeup" word. If you're happy with that, then sure. Personally, I don't want a device permanently on in DD's room, even if they claim the data isn't stored.

Get him a digital radio, they don't invade his privacy.

It is stored. Many people have caught cheating spouses out through accessing the audio files!

My kids argue via Alexa

For fucking stupid parents only. BuT tHeY uSe It FoR AlArMs.

Both mine have them, but it's the Sonos alexa integration and not an echo. They use it to turn on and off their lights and play spotify on the sonos. I think DC1 also has an alarm to wake her up with music. I also use it to announce breakfast and dinner from the kitchen.

I seriously don’t get the issue - your phone is always listening what is the difference?