Starting next week, Google is officially rolling out its Gemini chatbot for kids, allowing children under the age of 13 to interact with the AI under parental supervision. The access will be provided to those with parent-managed Google accounts through the Family Link program, according to a report by The New York Times.
This move marks a notable expansion of Google’s AI user base, as the company joins other tech giants aiming to introduce generative AI to younger audiences. A company spokesperson told The Times that Gemini has built-in safety features specifically designed for minors and that Google will not use conversations from these child accounts to train its AI models.
Gemini Chatbot for Kids Rollout Comes with Parental Controls and Privacy Assurances
The Gemini chatbot will be made available exclusively to children enrolled in Google’s Family Link, which allows guardians to control and monitor their child’s digital activity. According to Google, the version of Gemini provided to kids includes guardrails meant to reduce the risk of inappropriate outputs or exposure to sensitive content.
Despite these assurances, the introduction of generative AI tools to minors has sparked concern from regulators and education experts. While the technology continues to evolve rapidly, its current limitations in accuracy, content filtering, and reliability have prompted warnings about its use in educational and developmental contexts.
International Scrutiny on Generative AI in Education Persists
The global debate around children’s interaction with AI technologies intensified last year when UNESCO urged governments to establish clear boundaries around AI use in schools. The organization recommended age-based restrictions, mandatory data protection policies, and enforced privacy measures to prevent misuse and safeguard younger users.
As the competitive landscape for AI tools continues to expand, companies are increasingly targeting younger demographics. However, critics argue that without firm regulatory frameworks, exposing children to generative AI tools like Gemini could pose risks related to misinformation, bias, and inappropriate content.
With the release of the Gemini chatbot for kids, Google is taking a significant step toward integrating AI into early digital education experiences, though scrutiny around safety and long-term impacts is likely to remain intense.
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