With the Echo Dot Kids, the Amazon voice assistant is moving into the children’s room. The lure comes in the form of a wide range of functions. Nevertheless, the device is more suitable for older children.
Echo Dot Kids: New play partner in the children’s room
Echo Dot Kids is a child-friendly version of Amazon’s smart voice assistant. With Echo Dot Kids, children can listen to music and audio games or have the time told to them. According to Amazon, children cannot get into mischief with it. The Echo Dot Kids is aimed at children between the ages of three and twelve. A long time span that comes with its limits in practice.
- Generally, the Echo Dot Kids comes with a few advantages. In addition to its child-friendly design and handy size, it is also quite easy to use – at least as a rule. The device is controlled via voice commands.
- Although the Amazon Echo Dot Kids is more expensive than the classic model, it comes with the Amazon Kids+ subscription for at least one year. This allows kids to listen to unlimited music, educational content and audio games.
- Generally, Echo Dot Kids makes it easier for children to access different media. Parents also have peace of mind here as they can set the parental controls in detail.
Speech recognition deficits: Not suitable for younger children
The Echo Dot Kids also comes with some disadvantages, however, which can be frustrating for children. In part, there are some hurdles to overcome before the device can be used.
- Setting up the device can sometimes be difficult. The reason: Alexa for children must be programmed to the child’s voice. However, small children in particular often do not speak clearly enough, so Alexa cannot use the voice recognition and possible commands.
- In addition, certain commands that need to be invoked can be so cumbersome and long that young children in particular cannot even remember them.
- Another disadvantage is that Echo Dot Kids cannot be used without an Amazon account. In addition, the Kids+ subscription costs additional money per month after the first year. Another flaw is that the blocking of content harmful to minors does not always work.
- There is no real alternative to the Echo Dot Kids. The MoesGo children’s alarm clock and intelligent sleep trainer comes with Alexa. The voice assistant, however, remains the same here.
- Another possible alternative is the Apple HomePod, which can be set up so that parents can set up an Apple ID for children, manage their screen time, and approve app issues and downloads.
