To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Mum Writes To Amazon CEO Because Her Daughter Alexa Gets Bullied For Her Name

Mum Writes To Amazon CEO Because Her Daughter Alexa Gets Bullied For Her Name

Lauren says Alexa's schoolmates keep ordering her to do tasks

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A distraught mum has written a letter to Amazon boss Jeff Bezos because her daughter has faced bullying thanks to her name - which is the same as one of the company's most famous products.

The mum, known only as Lauren, explained in her correspondence how the company's virtual assistant Alexa, on the Echo device, has affected her daughter's interactions at school.

According to NBC, her letter reads: "Mr. Bezos, I write to you as a father and human being rather than the CEO of Amazon.

PA

"We are not asking for wealth or recognition from this request. We just want to correct an error we believe was a giant mistake."

Explaining that Alexa is also her daughter's name, Lauren goes on to say that other kids in school have begun saying the same things to the youngster that they would to the Amazon Echo.

The letter continues: "Kids are telling her, 'Turn on my TV, tell me today's weather...'

"They laugh at her and treat her like a servant, and this has been an ongoing issue, everywhere we go."

Lauren says six-year-old Alexa has been really badly affected by the comments and is sick of people constantly comparing her to the device.

The mum says even adults make the comparison when they find out her daughter's name is Alexa.

Her letter continues: "It's the world we live in. And people mean no harm. But Alexa is a person, not a machine, and people have to stop referring to her like she is one.

PA

"This is everywhere. You've already ruined the name, but you don't have to continue to hurt these girls and women. I ask, make an apology and start a movement. I am."

While this might seem like an isolated case, there are other Alexas out there who don't like the fact that millions of people have a virtual assistant that shares their name.

The Seattle Times wrote about four women who were considering changing their names because they're fed up with the constant comparisons and 'Hey Alexa' jokes.

Bartender Alexa Philbeck told the news site: "I work in the service industry, so my name is printed on receipts that people see all the time. I get comments constantly and people trying to make jokes or order me around."

Nanny Alexa Sorensen adds: "One of the kids I've been baby-sitting forever - they love talking to the Echo. 'Alexa, Alexa, Alexa, Alexa,' and I'm like 'What?' They're like, 'Not you.'"

PA

Alexa Nguyen said it was particularly bad in the dating scene and on Tinder: "He would just say, like, 'Alexa, turn on the lights. Alexa, turn on the speakers. Alexa, will you go on a date with me?' And I was like 'No.'"

Thankfully for those Alexas who own an Amazon Echo, they can program it to respond to something other than their namesake.

Lauren even received a reply to her letter, although sadly it wasn't from Jeff himself.

Amazon representative Patricia, from the company's Tech Support Customer Relations Team, replied with: "I'm very sorry to hear about the experience you're having. I definitely understand this has been frustrating.

"I really appreciate the time you've taken to voice your concern and let us know about the issues you've run into. I have sent your feedback on to our internal teams. Thanks for making sure we're aware of your experience."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Technology