Google is preparing to roll out its Gemini AI chatbot for children under the age of 13 who have parent-managed Google accounts, marking a major step in expanding generative AI access to younger users.
In a recent email to families, Google announced, “Gemini Apps will soon be available for your child,” enabling kids to ask questions, receive homework assistance, and generate creative stories. The chatbot will be accessible to children whose accounts are managed via Google Family Link, a parental supervision platform that requires parents to input personal details like the child’s name and birthdate.
To address safety, Google has implemented guardrails to restrict unsafe content and confirmed it will not use data from children’s interactions to train its AI models, according to company spokesperson Karl Ryan.
The move underscores the tech industry’s push to engage younger users with AI tools, even as concerns rise about the implications of AI on children’s safety and development. AI chatbots like Gemini, powered by large-scale data models, can produce humanlike conversations, images, and videos, but they also raise concerns about misinformation and digital manipulation.
UNICEF and other child advocacy groups have warned that generative AI systems can mislead or confuse young minds, especially as children may not realize that chatbots are not real people. In a recent report, UNICEF stated, “Generative AI has produced dangerous content,” emphasizing the need for stronger safeguards.
Google’s email acknowledged these risks, advising parents to encourage critical thinking in their children and reminding them not to enter personal information. The company also highlighted the importance of fact-checking AI responses and clarified that while content filters are in place, children may still encounter unexpected or inappropriate information.
Despite Google’s reassurances, the rollout has reignited debates around AI safety for minors. In the past, tech companies have faced scrutiny for targeting children. In 2021, Meta halted its proposed Instagram Kids platform after backlash from state attorneys general. Likewise, companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have paid significant fines for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Under this new initiative, children will initially have independent access to Gemini, but parents will receive notifications and have control over their child’s settings, including the option to disable access. Google’s email reiterated, “We’ll also let you know when your child accesses Gemini for the first time.”
Spokesperson Ryan emphasized that the company’s rollout of Gemini for children complies with all COPPA requirements and includes built-in tools to ensure privacy and safety.
