eSAFETY GUIDE
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Amazon Alexa

Amazon does not set a minimum age requirement for Alexa
+ Amazon does not set a minimum age requirement for Alexa

What is Alexa?

Alexa is Amazon’s cloud-based voice assistant, which can be used with voice enabled devices from Amazon, including Amazon Echo smart speakers, and devices made by other companies. You talk to Alexa using voice commands and it responds with a synthesised voice. Alexa devices can be used, among other things, to play music or video, control lights, activate security systems and other home appliances, tell jokes and stories and make purchases.

Most Alexa devices are programmed to only record and send sounds and words from your home to Amazon’s servers as encrypted data to be processed once they hear their ‘wake’ word (typically ‘Alexa’, although this word can be changed in the app). Alexa can also be activated using a button on some devices. You can modify security and privacy settings in the Alexa app and set up voice-enabled devices to use throughout your home and environment. You can also set preference for news sources, music streaming services and other content in the app. Alexa also allows you to set up ‘routines’, or a series of actions that occur when you say a particular phrase.

Alexa uses AI or artificial intelligence-based software to learn from previous interactions and personalise your experience. It can be set up to work with Voice ID and Visual ID, so Alexa devices can distinguish between different users and respond accordingly. Alexa can be integrated with Amazon Kids to curate content that is age appropriate for different users. Third-party devices and apps, known as ‘skills’, can also be added to Alexa, including recipe books, guided meditations and apps catering to other smart home devices. 

Website: amazon.com.au/Learn-What-Alexa-Can-DoExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/Learn-What-Alexa-Can-Do/b?ie=UTF8&node=5425622051]
Apps: Android appExternal link[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.dee.app&hl=en_AU&gl=US], Apple iOS appExternal link[https://apps.apple.com/au/app/amazon-alexa/id944011620]

How do people use Amazon Alexa?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use voice assistants like Alexa.

Amazon Alexa is used for: content sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/content-sharing], encrypted[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/encrypted], gaming[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/gaming], in-app purchasing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/in-app-purchasing], live streaming[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/live-streaming], location sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/location-sharing], messaging/online chat[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/messaging-online-chat], online relationships[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/online-relationships], photo/video sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/photo-video-sharing], video calling[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/video-calling], voice chat[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/voice-chat] and voice assistant.

How can you remove or delete content?

These links are provided by Amazon:

How can you protect your personal information?

These links are provided by Amazon:

  • Privacy settingsExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G2H2JJS9UDKNKGKP]
    Alexa privacy settings for accounts and devices.
  • How to edit privacy settingsExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/b/?node=10492276051]
    Advice on how to personalise your Alexa privacy settings, including making choices about what Alexa records and how long these recordings are saved for.
  • Protect your privacyExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/b?node=6971549051&ref_=AlexaHub_alexaeng_nav]
    Advice on how to protect your privacy while using Alexa enabled devices.

These links are provided by Amazon:

  • Alexa helpExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_device_cat_alexafeatures?nodeId=G201952240]
    Help and support for Alexa enabled devices.
  • Alexa settingsExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G4JL9SAJ88J85B53&ref_=hp_G201952240_c_Alexa-Settings]
    Learn about the Alexa app and the settings for various Alexa enabled devices.
  • Alexa profilesExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G8M2UFR3ZS92HW7X]
    Understand how profiles for individual users work.
  • Voice IDExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GYCXKY2AB2QWZT2X]
    How to set up voice ID so Alexa can distinguish between the voices of different users.
  • Visual IDExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?ref_=hp_left_v4_sib&nodeId=GVPZZGGU8N6A9QJK]
    How to set up visual ID to recognise faces and show personalised info on devices that display content.
  • Accessibility featuresExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/b?node=10499381051&ref_=alexahub_engagement_nav]
    How Alexa’s accessibility features work.
  • Amazon kids on AlexaExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?ref_=help_search_1-1&nodeId=GLY85BGU2GM9BFZE&qid=1682128264627&sr=1-1]
    How to set up Amazon kids and approve and review content for children to access.
  • Alexa smart homeExternal link[https://www.amazon.com.au/b/?node=5425665051]
    Information about setting up smart home devices.

Last updated: 06/06/2024

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parentsExternal link, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and appsExternal link and mental wellbeing resources for familiesExternal link.