How to Set Alexa Parental Controls

Childproofing your kid's Echo device

by
Robert Wells
Robert Earl Wells III
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Robert Wells is a professional writer and amateur game developer. His specialties include web development, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity.
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Robert Earl Wells III
Updated on April 08, 2020

The Echo Dot Kids Edition and Fire Kids Edition Tablets come with a subscription to FreeTime Unlimited and built-in parental controls. However, you can enable Alexa parental controls on any Amazon device using the FreeTime Parent Dashboard.

Instructions in this article apply to all Alexa-enabled devices, including the Amazon Echo, Echo Show, and Echo Dot.

What Is Amazon FreeTime?

Amazon FreeTime is a parental control feature for the Alexa virtual assistant. FreeTime Unlimited is a subscription service that provides access to kid-friendly content, including apps, games, Audible, and Alexa skills. You do not need a FreeTime Unlimited subscription to set up parental controls for Alexa devices.

Amazon Prime members are eligible for discounts on FreeTime Unlimited annual family plans.

How to Enable Alexa Parental Controls

You can enable parental controls using the Alexa app for iOS, Android, or Fire Tablets. You must enable FreeTime parental controls for each device individually.

  1. Open the Alexa app on your iOS or Android device and tap Devices.

    Open the Alexa app on your iOS or Android device and tap Devices.

  2. Tap Echo & Alexa.

    Tap Echo & Alexa.

  3. Tap the device for which you want to enable parental controls.

    Select the device for which you want to enable parental controls.

  4. Scroll down and tap FreeTime.

    Scroll down and tap FreeTime under General.

  5. Tap the toggle switch under FreeTime.

    Tap the toggle switch under FreeTime.

    To disable parental controls for a device, return to the FreeTime screen and tap the toggle switch under FreeTime.

  6. Tap Set up Amazon FreeTime.

  7. Enter your child's name, gender, and birth date, then choose a profile icon and tap Add Child.

  8. Tap Add Child to add more kid profiles, or tap Continue.

    Set up Amazon FreeTime Alexa parental controls

  9. Tap Continue again to grant the required permissions.

  10. Enter the password for your Amazon account and tap Sign In.

    You may be asked to enter your debit or card information to confirm that you are an adult. Your card will not be charged.

  11. Tap I Agree to grant parental consent.

    Tap I Agree.

  12. Tap Continue.

  13. Tap Start your one month free trial to set up a FreeTime Unlimited account, or tap Cancel.

  14. Tap the X in the top-right corner to return to your Alexa settings.

    Set up Amazon FreeTime Alexa parental controls

The Amazon Parent Dashboard

You can block specific apps and set further restrictions by logging into the Amazon FreeTime Parent Dashboard in any browser. You will see a log of activity for each device and kid profile you have set up. Tap the gear icon to open the settings and change the age filter, set daily time limits, disable Alexa voice purchasing, and more.

Tap the Settings Gear in the FreeTime parent dashboard.

Additional Parental Controls for Alexa

There are a few other ways to kid-proof Alexa in addition to FreeTime controls:

  • Turn on the Explicit Filter: You can block Alexa from playing explicit music by going to the Amazon Music settings.
  • Disable Drop-In: Turn off Alexa Drop-In to prevent your child from making calls from an Echo device.
  • Turn on Do Not Disturb: Set up Alexa Do Not Disturb mode to block notifications and incoming calls.