With smart assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa slowly becoming a staple in smart homes, companies are also expanding how children and families can interact with their smart speakers. That’s because smart assistants, when paired with fiber-fast Internet, open opportunities for educational and entertainment content–compared to smartphone use, which parents worry can lead to addiction.
Apart from its practical usage, the sight of children talking to their smart assistants really makes for some funny and adorable interactions. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the cutest videos that’ll surely cheer you up and brighten your day!
Alexa, hype us up!
This hilarious TikTok video by dad Eduardo Alvarez shows how his kids utilized Alexa to play party music to help them get ready for school… at 6:49 a.m.! “That’s one way to get started on a Friday,” Eduardo wrote. Oof!
Hey, Goo-Goo, notice me!
In this viral video by Laura Kitchener, a toddler is seen talking to the smart speaker and trying to get it to respond. The way she repeats “Hey Goo-goo!” with her voice steadily becoming louder and her smirk at the end when the assistant finally responds is too funny!
Alexa vs Toddler
In a TikTok video posted by user @humankind, mom Casey Smith documented how her daughter interacted with Alexa and tried to get the smart assistant to play Baby Shark. Unfortunately, Alexa had a hard time understanding her and had to confirm a number of times whether she really wanted to play the song. By the fifth time Alexa asked for confirmation, the child was already over the interaction, saying, “Okay, stop doing that, Alexa.” LOL!
Wonderwall vs Run The World
In this TikTok video posted by The Dickerson Family (@boopsalot), a child is seen talking to Alexa and trying to get her to play “Run the World” by Beyonce. Unfortunately, Alexa plays the song “Wonderwall” by Oasis, instead, so imagine the toddler’s confusion!
Hey, Siri, find Mama
Moms who have toddlers will surely be able to relate to this TikTok video of a 3-year-old trying to find her mama! User @theblackmanfamily, caught their toddler, Jette, conversing with Siri and asking where her mom is while saying Mommy is in the toilet. What follows is an amusing exchange, with Siri answering that mum isn’t sharing her location with the Find My Phone App. Jette then says, “That’s sad,” and “I’m confused [with] what you are saying.” Eventually, the child grows frustrated with Siri—watch their conversation and get ready to laugh!
Google doesn’t know my voice
In this wholesome TikTok video by user @justjordynnaround, a toddler named Jordynn is adorably worried that “Doodle” doesn’t know her name. She then asks her mom, “Can you tell Doodle…my name? He doesn’t know my name!” So cute!
How smart assistants impact children
Last year, Google Home introduced four kid-friendly voices and the Kids Dictionary, which gives “simplified and age-appropriate answers across speakers, smart displays, and mobile devices.” It aims to make children’s interactions with Google Assistant more educational and fun, piquing their curiosity and allowing them to expand their interests and learn new things. Amazon, on the other hand, has rolled out several designs of their Echo Dot Kids, where kids can ask Alexa to play music, read a bedtime story, answer age-appropriate questions, and explore skills for games, learning, and more.
While these are all enticing features, parents must still take control of their children’s tech usage. Experts have warned that kids could end up thinking of smart assistants as real people, and ask these devices things they would usually talk about with their mom and dad. Parents have also complained in studies that because you don’t need to say “please” or “thank you” to use these devices, it encourages bad manners and might influence children negatively.
Parents can take advantage of parental controls to set limits and moderate the usage of these devices. It is also up to them to instruct their kids on etiquette and teach them what the devices can do, how to use them, and how and when not to use them.