Smart Speaker (Alexa / Google Home) Safety Guide
How to configure Amazon Alexa and Google Home smart speakers for child safety, including purchase restrictions, explicit content filters, and voice controls.
Smart speakers such as Amazon Echo (Alexa) and Google Nest (Google Assistant) are present in millions of UK homes. Children can interact with them using voice commands alone, which means there is no screen lock, password, or age gate between your child and the internet. Without proper configuration, children can listen to explicit music, make purchases, hear inappropriate search results, and interact with third-party skills or actions that may not be child-safe.
Main risks
- • Unfiltered search results and answers to age-inappropriate questions
- • Accidental or intentional purchases via voice commands
- • Listening to explicit music or podcast content
- • Third-party skills and actions that have not been reviewed for child safety
Initial setup steps
Enable the explicit content filter
In the Alexa or Google Home app, navigate to content settings and turn on the explicit filter. This blocks explicit songs and inappropriate content in responses.
Disable or PIN-protect voice purchasing
Turn off voice purchasing entirely, or set a voice confirmation PIN that only adults know. This prevents accidental or intentional orders.
Set up a child profile (Alexa) or content filters (Google)
On Amazon devices, enable Amazon Kids to create an age-appropriate experience. On Google devices, configure Digital Wellbeing with appropriate content filters for your child's age.
Review third-party skills and actions
Check which third-party skills (Alexa) or actions (Google) are enabled. Disable any that are not needed, as some may contain content not suitable for children.
Parental control settings
Explicit Content Filter
Location: Alexa app > Settings > Music & Podcasts > Explicit Filter / Google Home app > Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Filters
Recommended: On
Blocks explicit songs and podcast episodes. Essential for any household with children.
Voice Purchasing
Location: Alexa app > Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing / Google Home app > Settings > Payments
Recommended: Off, or require a voice PIN
Prevents your child from ordering items or making purchases by speaking to the device.
Amazon Kids (Alexa)
Location: Alexa app > Settings > Amazon Kids
Recommended: Enabled for child profiles
Creates a child-friendly experience with age-appropriate responses, explicit content filtering, and restricted features.
Digital Wellbeing Filters (Google)
Location: Google Home app > Settings > Digital Wellbeing
Recommended: Configured with Downtime and content filters
Google's Digital Wellbeing allows you to set content filters, restrict actions, and schedule downtime on Google Nest devices.
Age recommendations
Suitable with Amazon Kids or Google filters enabled, voice purchasing off, and explicit content filter on. Useful for music, stories, and simple questions.
Suitable with content filters active. Children will ask more complex questions — check the voice history periodically to understand what they are asking about.
Maintain explicit content filters. Be aware that older children may try to find workarounds. Discuss responsible use of voice assistants.