Alexa is a pioneering device in the world of tech bringing convenience and ease into our daily lives. It hears commands and can execute them quickly to make our routine tasks easier. However, in addition to its benefits, Alexa can also become a source of headache and worry for parents if not monitored properly.

In this day and age, where children are growing up with technology all around them, it is essential to establish boundaries to protect them from the negative impact of its excessive use. Thankfully, Alexa provides an option for parents to set up parental controls to restrict their children’s access to certain features and contents.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set parental controls on Alexa:

1. Open the Alexa app:

First, you need to open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. If you don’t have it already, it can be downloaded from the app store.

2. Go to the settings:

Once the app is open, navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu on the left side of the screen.

3. Select the ‘Alexa Preferences’ option:

After clicking settings, select the option that reads ‘Alexa Preferences’ from the drop-down options.

4. Tap on the ‘Voice Purchasing’ option:

Scroll down the page, and toward the bottom, you will see an option labeled ‘Voice Purchasing’. Tap on this option.

5. Turn on the parental control feature:

Scroll down the page to the ‘Require Authentication for Purchases’ option and toggle it on. You will be asked to select a voice code to confirm purchases, which should be a four-digit code. Make sure you keep this code safe and don’t share it with your child.

6. Set time limits for Alexa usage:

In addition to the purchase restrictions, Alexa also allows you to limit the amount of time your child spends on the device. To do this, go back to the settings page and select the ‘Amazon FreeTime’ option. Here you can set daily or weekly time limits, as well as control access to different features and music.

7. Turn on ‘Kid Skills’:

Alexa has many skills that can be helpful for children, but as a parent, you might want to monitor the skills that your child can access. In the ‘Amazon FreeTime’ option mentioned earlier, turn on the ‘Kid Skills’ feature. You will then receive notifications when your child tries to add a new skill, and you can choose to approve or deny it accordingly.

In conclusion, setting parental controls on Alexa can help relieve some of the concerns parents may have about their child’s interactions with the device. With these simple steps, parents can create a safe environment for their kids to use Amazon Echo devices. By implementing these controls, Alexa can remain a useful and entertaining tool without putting children at risk.