Google's Gemini AI chatbot launches next week for kids under 13 with parental controls
Google is launching its Gemini artificial intelligence chatbot next week for children under 13 who have parent-managed Google accounts.
The search giant is continuing its strategy of engaging younger users with its AI products, this time offering the Gemini chatbot as a homework and creativity aid.
In an email sent to parents, Google said: “Gemini Apps will soon be available for your child. They’ll be able to ask questions, get help with homework, and even create stories together.”
The chatbot will be available for kids whose parents use Family Link, which helps families manage Gmail and other Google services for their children. To create a child account, parents have to provide some personal information, such as the child’s name and birth date.
Google says Gemini has safeguards in place to prevent the generation of unsafe content, while it’s also been confirmed that data from children using Family Link will not be used to train the AI.
Google had already announced plans in March to introduce Gemini to younger users with supervision tools and parental controls. That was in response to feedback from parents, teachers, and child development experts.
The chatbot will be available on Android, iOS, and the web. Parents will be able to manage their child’s access through the Family Link app. They’ll get notifications when Gemini is used and will be able to restrict access. Meanwhile, school administrators will also be able to supervise children accessing the chatbot through school accounts via the Google Admin console.
In an email to parents, Google said: “While Gemini can help with many things, it’s important to remember that it’s not perfect. It’s not a human and doesn’t think or feel like one. It’s still learning and can make mistakes.”
