is google home hub suitable for kids?
Discussion
The_Jackal said:
What is he getting her one for?
I dont think there is a specific kids mode, but there are things you can do.
Is it just for her to turn lights on and off?
Its not like spam porn adverts pop up on it. Its not really like a tablet.
mainly for music i think but i imagine the child will use it for youtube the mostI dont think there is a specific kids mode, but there are things you can do.
Is it just for her to turn lights on and off?
Its not like spam porn adverts pop up on it. Its not really like a tablet.
can you ask it questions like alexa ie is it educational?
petemurphy said:
mainly for music i think but i imagine the child will use it for youtube the most
can you ask it questions like alexa ie is it educational?
Yes it's just Google's version of Alexa. "Hey google, what's the tallest mountain in the world?" etc etc and will come up with wiki results most often. I don't believe you can restrict the Youtube results to just Youtube Kids however although that option might be buried in the Google Home menus. can you ask it questions like alexa ie is it educational?
But it will read stories or tell jokes or give facts just as well as Alexa.
I have one, I really like it, but it's really a touch-screen way into connected devices with some other stuff added in. It plays music and video on YouTube, but it's really for controlling your heating, casting audio around the house, it's what you'd buy if you already have a tablet but want something in a fixed place that you can just use without having to find the tablet and open apps. It complements a rish ecosystem of other devices rather than being a great device on it's own.
It doesn't do anything that a tablet wouldn't do, but a tablet will do so much more, but perhaps more importantly you can much better control what can be done on a tablet.
I checked a few things on mine and can't find anyway to restrict YouTube and it will let you phone/video call anyone. If you want to understand what restrictions can be placed on it, I think you need to look at restrictions on the account that's signed in. If you add a child to your Google Account, you'll be able to turn stuff on and off there for them, which *should* stop them doing stuff on any device. But best you'll get there is a safe filter on YouTube, they will still be able to watch all the inane brain-numbing rubbish that isn't offensive.
But, if they have anything about them, the first time they have access to an unrestricted device they'll setup their own Google Account and get themself signed in on that anyway.
It doesn't do anything that a tablet wouldn't do, but a tablet will do so much more, but perhaps more importantly you can much better control what can be done on a tablet.
I checked a few things on mine and can't find anyway to restrict YouTube and it will let you phone/video call anyone. If you want to understand what restrictions can be placed on it, I think you need to look at restrictions on the account that's signed in. If you add a child to your Google Account, you'll be able to turn stuff on and off there for them, which *should* stop them doing stuff on any device. But best you'll get there is a safe filter on YouTube, they will still be able to watch all the inane brain-numbing rubbish that isn't offensive.
But, if they have anything about them, the first time they have access to an unrestricted device they'll setup their own Google Account and get themself signed in on that anyway.
paulrockliffe said:
I have one, I really like it, but it's really a touch-screen way into connected devices with some other stuff added in. It plays music and video on YouTube, but it's really for controlling your heating, casting audio around the house, it's what you'd buy if you already have a tablet but want something in a fixed place that you can just use without having to find the tablet and open apps. It complements a rish ecosystem of other devices rather than being a great device on it's own.
It doesn't do anything that a tablet wouldn't do, but a tablet will do so much more, but perhaps more importantly you can much better control what can be done on a tablet.
I checked a few things on mine and can't find anyway to restrict YouTube and it will let you phone/video call anyone. If you want to understand what restrictions can be placed on it, I think you need to look at restrictions on the account that's signed in. If you add a child to your Google Account, you'll be able to turn stuff on and off there for them, which *should* stop them doing stuff on any device. But best you'll get there is a safe filter on YouTube, they will still be able to watch all the inane brain-numbing rubbish that isn't offensive.
But, if they have anything about them, the first time they have access to an unrestricted device they'll setup their own Google Account and get themself signed in on that anyway.
thanksIt doesn't do anything that a tablet wouldn't do, but a tablet will do so much more, but perhaps more importantly you can much better control what can be done on a tablet.
I checked a few things on mine and can't find anyway to restrict YouTube and it will let you phone/video call anyone. If you want to understand what restrictions can be placed on it, I think you need to look at restrictions on the account that's signed in. If you add a child to your Google Account, you'll be able to turn stuff on and off there for them, which *should* stop them doing stuff on any device. But best you'll get there is a safe filter on YouTube, they will still be able to watch all the inane brain-numbing rubbish that isn't offensive.
But, if they have anything about them, the first time they have access to an unrestricted device they'll setup their own Google Account and get themself signed in on that anyway.
looking at this again and at facebook portal as its daughters birthday soon. like the idea of a permanent video calling device for her friends at the mo eg which she's doing school work whilst off. some friends have a google though and her main friend they do ipad to my iphone on messenger so i presume the google wouldnt work for that.
wondering whether to just get an ipad although that will then lead her to being addicted to apps.
thoughts?
wondering whether to just get an ipad although that will then lead her to being addicted to apps.
thoughts?
She can only get addicted if you allow unrestricted use. I'm not an apple user but i'm sure there must be a child safe option / account setting. Then you just have to be strict in how much screen time you allow a day. Plenty of advice online about keeping your kids safe online or controlling screen time. Be it through software you run to restrict internet access or just putting it away in a drawer when it's not time to use it.
RichTT said:
She can only get addicted if you allow unrestricted use. I'm not an apple user but i'm sure there must be a child safe option / account setting. Then you just have to be strict in how much screen time you allow a day. Plenty of advice online about keeping your kids safe online or controlling screen time. Be it through software you run to restrict internet access or just putting it away in a drawer when it's not time to use it.
i know i know but! inevitable i suppose but at least its a decent screen rather than stealing my iphone or her crappy chromebook. and more importantly i can nick it!We got our 6 yo one.
But the Lenovo alarm clock.
The display is just there for the alarm and some basic interactions but no youtube and the like.
He uses it as a radio and to ask random questions. We set it up in English so it helps with his languages as well
. His exact words: "the best present I've ever gotten".
Wouldn't have done it if it had youtube though, for now I like to have a bit of control on what they find on the internet.

Btw: it's tiny with some heft to it. It's a lot smaller than most pictures make it look. It's perfect for an alarm clock, in fact, I've gotten myself one as well.
But the Lenovo alarm clock.
The display is just there for the alarm and some basic interactions but no youtube and the like.
He uses it as a radio and to ask random questions. We set it up in English so it helps with his languages as well
. His exact words: "the best present I've ever gotten".Wouldn't have done it if it had youtube though, for now I like to have a bit of control on what they find on the internet.

Btw: it's tiny with some heft to it. It's a lot smaller than most pictures make it look. It's perfect for an alarm clock, in fact, I've gotten myself one as well.
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