Kids & Music

Hi there

One of the most common questions I get from parents is “What’s the best way to allow music for my kid.” The answer is, of course, way more complicated than it should be. Today’s post flags some issues with music and then lays out playbooks for how to do music safely depending upon which music service you use. I include information about devices as well, because the service and the device both play a role here. Before we dive in here are the latest Tech Headlines.

1. Greece following Australia’s Example, banning access to social media for kids under 15. More here.

2. Massachusetts is poised to pass the strictest State Level Tech Safety Bill yet that includes both a bell to bell policy and a social media ban for kids under 14. More here.

Many parents don’t realize that the risks with music go far beyond questionable lyrics. Here are the 5 things I wish all parents knew:

1. Content filters and parental controls are necessary to manage your child’s exposure to adult content. With the exception of the radio, unfettered access to any music source risks exposing your kids to inappropriate content–not just spicy lyrics- think backdoor access to the internet and, in some cases porn.

2. Its imperative that your child give their correct age when creating an account. Music streamers are trying to improve experiences for young people. Like social media, they are working on teen and youth experiences. If the platform thinks your child is over 18, they are not going to get that benefit.

3. Spotify has Porn and a Messaging Feature. Spotify in particular has some red flags parents need to be aware of. Spotify allows users to upload music which introduces risk. I have had more than one parent share that their child has stumbled upon porn or tracks of “sex noises” while searching for music on Spotify. And, last fall Spotify added a messaging feature. So Spotify is just one more place where kids can send private messages that many parents don’t know about.

4. Not all streaming services are created equal. While all streaming services have parental controls, they are not all the same. In my opinion Apple has the most comprehensive controls. Amazon’s exist but are not password protected which is a big risk. And, spotify has them but only if you pay for Premium Family. There are safer options like Spotify kids, but kids will grow out of that before we are ready to give them more mature options. Gabb Music, which launched last Fall is a decent middle ground option– think Bad Bunny but not Kendrick Lamar.

5. The device they listen ON matters too. When it comes to music, the device also contributes to the relative safety of the experience. For example, any device with parental controls is safe if you correctly set them up and risky if you haven’t. Devices like the Mighty offer zero access to the internet or anything you haven’t explicitly allowed.

(Because yikes already)

If you are a Spotify Family…

• Buy the Premium Family Plan

• Create Accounts for your kids with their real ages

• Stick with Spotify Kids for as long as you can (my kids outgrew it be the time they were like 8 or 9)

• Allow them access to the app to listen on a compatible device that also has parental controls set up (iPad, Echo Dot)

• OR no access to the app and you transfer specific playlists over (NODI, Mighty, FyrFly)

THEN

• Switch them to supervised accounts with the following: messaging disabled, content filters on

• Same as above, decide whether you want them to have access to the app on an ipad or echo dot OR only access playlists you create (NODI, Mighty, FyrFly)

If you are an Apple Music Family…

• Set up all the Apple parental controls for Music

• Allow them access to the app to listen on a compatible device that also has parental controls set up (iPad, Echo Dot)

If you are an Amazon Music Family…

• Set up all the Amazon parental controls

• Allow them access to the app to listen on a compatible device that also has parental controls set up (iPad, Echo Dot)

• OR no access to the app and you transfer specific playlists over (Mighty, FyrFly)

If you’re a “free agent”…

• Purchase Gabb Music and have your child listen on an iPad

OR

• Get on the wait list for a NODI player and use their proprietary library

• Mighty - A tiny, screen-less “Vibe” player that clips onto clothing. It works offline once synced. Compatible with Spotify and Amazon Music (Premium accounts required).

• FyrFly - A dedicated kids’ MP3/streaming player with a screen, but without the “fluff” of a smartphone. Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and Libby come pre-installed.

• NODI - A screen-free “smart” device. It plays audio and allows for safe voice messaging with approved contacts. Spotify Connect and the proprietary NODI Library (audiobooks/lessons).

• Echo Dot Kids - The Alexa for kids

• Gabb Music - a kid friendly music service from the makers of Gabb watches and phones

• Helpful Accessories— I highly recommend overearbuds and a headphone splitter. For older kids, here are some cool earbuds.

• Resources - The Digital Mom Music Drive

NOTE: Paid Subscribers get free access to The Digital Mom’s Music Matrix which gives you comparison charts of the music servicesand the devices side by side AND a big discount off the Digital Mom Music Drive which, in addition to the Matrix includes Parental Control Set Up Guides for

• Amazon Music / Alexa / Echo Dot

• Apple Music / iPad

• Spotify