Solutions? Music in teen bedrooms - without phone

grazer

This seems silly but I can't get my head around it. Somebody else might be able to suggest solutions!

Our teens (13, 14) have phones - one Apple, one Android. Us parents have Apple. All our music is on Apple libraries / iTunes. We don't allow phones in bedrooms at night. And try to prevent phones being brought into bedrooms during the day.
What can we use so they can have access to play music (onto a bluetooth speaker or similar), but not have access to internet at large, or social media, in their bedrooms?

Our younger child doesn't have a phone, and I'd like him to have access to music in his room too.

Remembering the hours I spent in my room as a moody teenager, listening to music on cassette tapes and later, CDs, I want them to be able to do the same (maybe without the moodiness - unlikely!).

Can you hook up an Amazon echo or dot to Apple music?

getoutahere

Amazon Alexa speaker now has iTunes access I believe or else with Spotify

grazer

Sorry, should have said I'm fairly tech challenged (sigh).
Would Alexa or echo not give same access to internet / soc media?
I suppose I'm looking for the modern equivalent of putting on a CD. Where the teen gets to choose and play their music, but nothing else!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Echo-Dot-Smart-Speaker-Alexa/dp/B0792KWK57/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546853957&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=echo+dot+3rd+generation&dpPl=1&dpID=41hX%2B2Es%2BvL&ref=plSrch

No internet access, but you might hear them going "Alexa, play..." for half the night..

nim1bdeh38l2cw

grazer wrote: »

Sorry, should have said I'm fairly tech challenged (sigh).
Would Alexa or echo not give same access to internet / soc media?
I suppose I'm looking for the modern equivalent of putting on a CD. Where the teen gets to choose and play their music, but nothing else!

There's no screen. You talk to the speaker

grazer

Deleted User wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Echo-Dot-Smart-Speaker-Alexa/dp/B0792KWK57/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546853957&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=echo+dot+3rd+generation&dpPl=1&dpID=41hX%2B2Es%2BvL&ref=plSrch

No internet access, but you might hear them going "Alexa, play..." for half the night..

Thanks. I really amn't familiar with Alexa, Dot etc., so had a look at the link.

This feature is what I'm hoping to avoid ...
"Call or message anyone with an Echo device, the Alexa App or Skype hands-free."

Edited to add:
Though I suppose if it's voice messaging or calling, it's less of a problem than text messaging or snapchatting half the night. And teens are allergic to actually talking to each other, so it may not be such an issue anyway.

CSSE09

According to this link you can disable the calling/messaging and a few other things
https://protectyoungeyes.com/content/amazon-echo-parental-controls/

drunkmonkey

Going to go out on a limb here but how about a mini hi-fi, surley kids these days must think big speakers are still cool https://www.richersounds.com/pioneer-x-em16.html

I'd say you have to set that up though, if you didn't set it up, and just installed Apple music, that's all they'd be able to do with it..

The only other option I can think of is an mp3 player, where you'd have to download all the music and put it into it..

jimbev

Look at internet/WiFi radios,thousands of radio stations with built in Spotify and very limited internet access

https://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10152&catalogId=14551&langId=111&searchTerms=Internet+radio&authToken=

endacl

I was a teenager in the 80s. I’d loads of music in my room. We only had one phone in the house, the landline, and no internet, because there was no internet.

Technology, eh?

grazer

endacl wrote: »

I was a teenager in the 80s. I’d loads of music in my room. We only had one phone in the house, the landline, and no internet, because there was no internet.

Technology, eh?

Same here.

Us trying to be responsible parents and control our kids' use of internet, is preventing them getting to play their own music in their own rooms. It's bonkers! As a teenager I had a big ghetto blaster, all my cassette tapes and later - gasp - CDs, in my bedroom and spent many a long angst-ridden evening there, blaring my music and hating the world. A very important developmental aspect of being a teenager, I think!

Sleeper12

This is the big disadvantage with Apple. You don't actually own the music, you lease it for your lifetime & they don't let you make copies that you could use on an Android device.

As far as I know Apple still make ipods. You could buy an ipod & link it to your apple account /iTunes account. The ipod could then be docked in a music player /speaker system.

I'd be thinking that they might want to listen to different music at the same time. This could mean two ipods.

3DataModem

The simple solution is to give them a cheap ipod to control a bluetooth speaker (get a refurbished one on apple store).

You can create a password that disables whatever features you want. My own two kids have ipods for music and audiobooks only - calling, facetime, messaging, internet, etc are all disabled with a passcode that only I have. These are their "bedroom" devices.

Skerries

jimbev wrote: »

Look at internet/WiFi radios,thousands of radio stations with built in Spotify and very limited internet access

https://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10152&catalogId=14551&langId=111&searchTerms=Internet+radio&authToken=

do you not need to control them with your phone though?

elfy4eva

Forgive me if im being an eejit as im not familiar with ipods/iphone but could the op pick up an old generation iPod without net features and sync it with their iTunes?

grazer

Sleeper12 wrote: »

This is the big disadvantage with Apple. You don't actually own the music, you lease it for your lifetime & they don't let you make copies that you could use on an Android device.

As far as I know Apple still make ipods. You could buy an ipod & link it to your apple account /iTunes account. The ipod could then be docked in a music player /speaker system.

I'd be thinking that they might want to listen to different music at the same time. This could mean two ipods.

I haven't looked into iPods myself, but had suggested them to my husband as a possible solution. He said something about them being phased out, he thought. Will look again. Also, he thought the more recent iPods are enabled with a lot more internet / gaming stuff than the older ones used to be - we might be into the same problem with iPods as with phones.

The Alexa thing looks promising with the parental controls that a poster above linked to. I presume you can just stream music from spotify on Alexa - i.e. not need to use your phone.

Buying three Alexas, or iPods, isn't really budget friendly, but maybe ....

grazer

3DataModem wrote: »

The simple solution is to give them a cheap ipod to control a bluetooth speaker (get a refurbished one on apple store).

You can create a password that disables whatever features you want. My own two kids have ipods for music and audiobooks only - calling, facetime, messaging, internet, etc are all disabled with a passcode that only I have. These are their "bedroom" devices.

Thanks, this looks promising also.

jimbev

Skerries wrote: »

do you not need to control them with your phone though?

No it has a lcd screen on it look at the evoke 3 it's what I use no phone needed

grazer

jimbev wrote: »

No it has a lcd screen on it look at the evoke 3 it's what I use no phone needed

How would kids access their music? Does it (and maybe other cheaper models of DAB radios) stream Spotify?

Just for Spotify..if there's 3 of them in 3 different rooms playing music at the same time you'll need 3 different Spotify accounts..

facehugger99

If you're thinking of an Echo/Alexa speaker. I'd go for a Sonos Play 1 instead - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker-Black/dp/B00FMS1KO0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546858127&sr=8-3&keywords=sonos+play1

We have both and the sound quality of the Sonos is in a different league to the Alexa speaker

grazer

Deleted User wrote: »

Just for Spotify..if there's 3 of them in 3 different rooms playing music at the same time you'll need 3 different Spotify accounts..

True .... there's no simple solution ....

Mind you, if we were back in cassette tape / CD times, they'd need to be swapping CDs cos we wouldn't be buying 3 copies of a CD either!

grazer

facehugger99 wrote: »

If you're thinking of an Echo/Alexa speaker. I'd go for a Sonos Play 1 instead - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker-Black/dp/B00FMS1KO0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546858127&sr=8-3&keywords=sonos+play1

We have both and the sound quality of the Sonos is in a different league to the Alexa speaker

€138. Sorry, don't think we'll be going for that! If it was for us parents, maybe!

gazzamc

You could try sourcing an old ipod and hook it up to a speaker.

nim1bdeh38l2cw

facehugger99 wrote: »

If you're thinking of an Echo/Alexa speaker. I'd go for a Sonos Play 1 instead - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker-Black/dp/B00FMS1KO0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546858127&sr=8-3&keywords=sonos+play1

We have both and the sound quality of the Sonos is in a different league to the Alexa speaker

You need a phone to control it. Kids couldn't give 2 hoots about sound quality either.

iamtony

https://m.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/8656353/Trail/searchtext>Amazon+echo.htm

This new echo dot sounds good for its size. It might be enough and it's on offer for €37 if you/they already own speakers or headphones even, there's a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can plug it into any speaker and the music will play through that if the sound isn't good enough for them.That's what I'd be going with. It can also connect to any Bluetooth speaker.

dense

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Going to go out on a limb here but how about a mini hi-fi, surley kids these days must think big speakers are still cool https://www.richersounds.com/pioneer-x-em16.html

Go bigger!!
Give them the gift of enjoying and appreciating music for the sound of it rather than a lifetime of listening to crappie mp3s on crappie speakers.

Youngsters are now growing up not knowing how good music can sound because all they're listening to is tiny speakers.

grazer

dense wrote: »

Go bigger!!
Give them the gift of enjoying and appreciating music for the sound of it rather than a lifetime of listening to crappie mp3s on crappie speakers.

Youngsters are now growing up not knowing how good music can sound because all they're listening to is tiny speakers.

We have a great sound system in the main part of the house - they're not deprived of good sound quality! This is just looking for a (reasonably priced) solution for their bedrooms so they can access sounds, of whatever quality!

endacl

dense wrote: »

Go bigger!!
Give them the gift of enjoying and appreciating music for the sound of it rather than a lifetime of listening to crappie mp3s on crappie speakers.

Youngsters are now growing up not knowing how good music can sound because all they're listening to is tiny speakers.

Couldn’t agree more. I teach plc students on a music performance course. Bear in mind, Music students. Into music. Plan to do it professionally. Their preferred source? Ripped YouTube audio, play through either the crappy phone speaker or cheap as possible Bluetooth earbuds.

grazer

iamtony wrote: »

https://m.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/8656353/Trail/searchtext>Amazon+echo.htm

This new echo dot sounds good for its size. It might be enough and it's on offer for €37 if you/they already own speakers or headphones even, there's a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can plug it into any speaker and the music will play through that if the sound isn't good enough for them.That's what I'd be going with. It can also connect to any Bluetooth speaker.

If it could be shut down to just give access to music as per a previous poster's advice https://protectyoungeyes.com/content/amazon-echo-parental-controls/ then it looks like a reasonable solution. How does it access music? Through Spotify?

iamtony

grazer wrote: »

If it could be shut down to just give access to music as per a previous poster's advice https://protectyoungeyes.com/content/amazon-echo-parental-controls/ then it looks like a reasonable solution. How does it access music? Through Spotify?

To access music you link it to Spotify and they you just say alexa play a certain artist, song, album etc.
The messages part isn't really an issue. Set it up to your amazon account and your phone and the only one they would be able to message or call are your contacts who also have the echo and you would also have to enable messages.

3DataModem

elfy4eva wrote: »

Forgive me if im being an eejit as im not familiar with ipods/iphone but could the op pick up an old generation iPod without net features and sync it with their iTunes?

If they are using Apple Music or Spotify, then no.

3DataModem

grazer wrote: »

Also, he thought the more recent iPods are enabled with a lot more internet / gaming stuff than the older ones used to be - we might be into the same problem with iPods as with phones.

You can set up restrictions on ipod that lock down everything other than music. You hold the password. Problem solved.

3DataModem

Deleted User wrote: »

Just for Spotify..if there's 3 of them in 3 different rooms playing music at the same time you'll need 3 different Spotify accounts..

Or a family plan. You set up a separate sub account but only require the one 15 per month subscription. Same as apple music.

grazer

3DataModem wrote: »

Or a family plan. You set up a separate sub account but only require the one 15 per month subscription. Same as apple music.

Don't mention the war! We have family sub for Apple / Apple music. Have had to re-set and re-set so that imessage texts don't appear on other family phones; I can see all my daughter's photos on my phone (no bad thing); she can see mine (I curate carefully!); at one stage any imessage I sent was appearing on my husband's phone and my daughter's phone. We all had to tread very carefully for a while! Think it's all resolved (imessaging switched off) except for the photos. It's a tangled apple web.

3DataModem

The way to avoid this is simply to ensure all devices ONLY use their own Apple ID (you can set up for kids and link to your own account). Never login using your ID to another device. Just never.

facehugger99

Sonia Purple Pancreas wrote: »

You need a phone to control it. Kids couldn't give 2 hoots about sound quality either.

You don't need a phone - they're voice controlled.

iamtony

endacl wrote: »

Couldn’t agree more. I teach plc students on a music performance course. Bear in mind, Music students. Into music. Plan to do it professionally. Their preferred source? Ripped YouTube audio, play through either the crappy phone speaker or cheap as possible Bluetooth earbuds.

Its the parents fault ha. I've bought my teen the best Bluetooth speaker money could buy after he got over is rap is deadly and everything else is crap phase. Now I enjoy the music blaring from his room!

Milly33

mmm not pointing out the obvious but could you not get a CD player, with MP3 player?

Noodleworm

Google Home is pretty good. I have several of them and have gifted them to family.
https://store.google.com/product/google_home

It's basically a smart speaker - like the Alexa people are talking about.
I think it kay be cheaper and I find its more compatible.
They are voice controlled can be connected to music streaming like spotify, and can also do very basic googling. Things like tell you the weather, set a timer or alarm, answer simple questions.
You have a few options too. There are also some with screens, such as the Theres the google home mini, a small one thats about 40 euro. The regular sized one has better sound.

You may also like the Google home hub, thats one with a screen, but no camera or real access to social media. It can be connected to youtube but your still really limited to voice control. Theres no way to type, so while its handy for finding a recipe or music video its not very simple for browsing. It sort of makes the experience of using a smart speaker easier, because you can see what it's doing.
I got it for my older parents for that reason.
here's an ad for it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxuHbgz1UtI

eskerman

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Going to go out on a limb here but how about a mini hi-fi, surley kids these days must think big speakers are still cool https://www.richersounds.com/pioneer-x-em16.html

I think this is a fantastic idea - let them buy CDs and or Vinyl that they will own for ever - not MP3 files that are nothing but code and can be deleted in a spit second - no value at all. Buy your music in physical format and then you are getting value and its a great way to listen to it

grazer

An update after a year after I first asked the question on this thread.
We got an Amazone Echo Dot for each of the teenagers' bedrooms. Great price, great solution. They can now stream music and play from our Apple music playlists. And do all the rest of the stuff the dots do.
Thanks for all the suggestions through this thread.