Google to Allow Children Under 13 to Use Its Gemini AI

Tech giant Google is reportedly planning to allow children under 13 — whose parents use Google’s Family Link parental controls — to access its Gemini AI chatbot.

According to a report by The New York Times, Google sent an email to a parent stating that Gemini would soon be available to their child. Children will be able to use Gemini for tasks such as helping with homework and reading stories.

To sign up, parents must provide details such as the child’s name and birth date. Google stated that the data will not be used to train its AI.

In the email, Google warned parents that “Gemini can make mistakes” and “your child may encounter content you don’t want them to see.”

Google also advised parents to remind their children that Gemini isn’t human and to avoid entering sensitive or personal information into the chatbot. The company recommended parents teach their child to double-check Gemini’s responses.

Children under 13 will be able to use Gemini through Google Family Link, a tool that allows parents to monitor their child’s device usage, set limits, and protect them from unsafe content. Google said that parents will be able to manage their child’s chatbot settings, including the ability to turn off access.

Google spokesman Karl Ryan stated that Gemini has specific guardrails in place to prevent the chatbot from generating unsafe content for younger users.

Previously, several tech giants have developed child-focused products. In 2015, Google introduced YouTube Kids, a standalone video app designed for children, which has become popular among families with kids. However, some planned services for children have been halted in the past due to safety concerns.