How to configure Amazon Alexa and Google Home smart speakers for child safety, including purchase restrictions, explicit content filters, and voice controls.
Smart Speakers is voice-activated speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Nest that answer questions and play media, and which offer voice profiles, explicit-content filters, and purchase controls for families.
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.
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.
Turn off voice purchasing entirely, or set a voice confirmation PIN that only adults know. This prevents accidental or intentional orders.
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.
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.
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.
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.