Google’s Gemini Chatbot to Be Rolled Out for Kids Under 13 Starting Next Week

Introduction Of Gemini

Starting next week, Google chatbot will begin allowing children under the age of 13 to access its AI-powered Gemini chatbot, as long as they are using parent-managed Google chatbot accounts. This update, first reported by The New York Times, marks a significant step in the expansion of AI tools into younger demographics — a move that brings both opportunities and concerns.

The feature will be accessible through Google’s chatbot Family Link, a service that enables parents to manage and monitor their children’s digital activity. Family Link allows guardians to set up supervised Google accounts for their children, giving them the ability to approve apps, set screen time limits, and control which services their child can access. With this new change, Gemini will now be one of the services parents can opt into.

According to a Google spokesperson, Gemini will include built-in safety features designed specifically for younger users. These guardrails are intended to make interactions age-appropriate and limit the risk of exposure to harmful content. Importantly, Google also stated that it will not use data from these child accounts to further train its AI models — a commitment that addresses one of the primary concerns voiced by privacy advocates and regulators.

The expansion of AI tools like Gemini to younger users comes at a time when tech companies are in a fierce race to dominate the generative AI space. While these tools promise to revolutionize learning and creativity, they also come with substantial risks — especially for impressionable users like children. Chatbots are still prone to producing inaccurate, misleading, or even inappropriate responses, despite ongoing improvements in their safety and reliability.

This growing trend has not gone unnoticed by global institutions. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) issued a statement in late 2024 urging governments to take immediate steps in regulating the use of generative AI in educational settings. Among their recommendations were the implementation of clear age restrictions, stronger data privacy protections, and ethical guidelines to ensure safe and equitable use.

As Google opens the door for younger audiences to interact with Gemini, the move is likely to spark further debate among educators, parents, and policymakers. On one hand, it presents a chance to introduce children to emerging technologies in a controlled and educational way. On the other, it raises serious questions about safety, data use, and the long-term impact of AI on child development.

For now, families using Family Link will have the option to enable Gemini, but the broader conversation around kids and AI is only just beginning. Will the benefits outweigh the risks? And can the current safeguards truly protect young minds from the flaws and limitations of generative AI? Only time — and continued oversight — will tell.

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