Google’s Gemini AI will soon be available to kids — with privacy guardrails

Google’s move to offer Gemini AI to children under 13 marks a significant shift in how AI companies approach younger users. This rollout represents one of the first major AI chatbot deployments specifically designed for children, occurring amid ongoing debates about digital safety, homework integrity, and the appropriate role of AI in child development. The initiative navigates complex regulatory frameworks while attempting to address parental concerns about content safety and data privacy.

The big picture: Google plans to make its Gemini AI chatbot available to children under 13 starting next week, but only through parent-managed Google accounts via Family Link service.

• Google’s email to Family Link users indicates the AI assistant can help children “ask questions, get homework help and make up stories.”
• Parents will maintain control with the ability to disable Gemini access at any time and will receive notifications when their child first uses the service.

Privacy guardrails: Google promises that data collected from children using the service won’t be used to train its AI models.

• The company states it has implemented safety measures designed to prevent children from being exposed to inappropriate content.
• This approach aligns with the stricter regulations imposed by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which limits data collection and engagement tactics targeting children.

Potential concerns: Gemini’s reliability as a homework helper remains questionable given its previous problematic recommendations.

• Past instances include the AI suggesting adding glue to pizzas and rocks to diets, raising questions about the accuracy of information children might receive.
• These reliability issues emerge alongside broader industry concerns about AI chatbots interacting with minors, including reports about Meta‘s digital companions being manipulated into inappropriate conversations.

Historical context: Big Tech companies have faced significant pushback when launching products aimed at children.

• Meta abandoned plans for Instagram Kids in 2021 after pressure from groups like the National Association of Attorneys General.
• Google’s own child-focused products, like Google Kids, have previously been criticized for displaying inappropriate advertisements.

Why this matters: This initiative represents one of the first major AI chatbot deployments specifically designed for children, testing the boundaries of AI safety, educational ethics, and digital parenting in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

• The rollout occurs as tech companies navigate increasingly strict regulations governing digital services for children.
• How Google manages this deployment could set precedents for how AI companies approach younger users in the future.