Google will begin offering its AI chatbot Gemini to children under 13 starting next week, but only through parent-managed Google accounts.
To enable access, parents must use Google’s Family Link service, which allows them to monitor screen time and adjust privacy settings. According to an email sent to Family Link users, Gemini will help kids “ask questions, get homework help and make up stories.” The company says data from these accounts won’t be used to train its AI and that safety measures are in place to block harmful content.
Parents will be notified the first time their child uses Gemini and can disable access at any time.
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Still, Gemini’s reliability as a learning tool has drawn scrutiny. The chatbot has previously advised users to add glue to pizza and rocks to their diets — responses unlikely to build trust among parents or educators.
Concerns about kids interacting with AI tools have grown. The Wall Street Journal recently reported how Meta’s chatbots could be manipulated into unsafe conversations with minors. The issue has raised alarms about broader AI safety for youth.
Big Tech’s track record with kids’ platforms is mixed. Meta dropped plans for Instagram Kids in 2021 under pressure from advocacy groups, while YouTube Kids has faced past criticism for displaying inappropriate ads.
Google, like others, must follow stricter rules for under-13 users under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), adding legal weight to how Gemini is deployed for kids.
