Revolution in Education or a Risk? Google Makes Gemini Available to Children Under 13
Google is preparing to take a step toward making artificial intelligence technologies accessible to the younger generation. The company announced that its chatbot Gemini will soon also be available to children under 13, sparking both excitement about new educational opportunities and concerns about children's safety in the digital environment.
How Access Will Work
The new service will first be launched in the United States and Canada, with plans for gradual expansion to other countries and later to the rest of the world. A key element is that access to Gemini will be exclusively through accounts managed by parents or guardians using the Google Family Link tool. "Children's safety is our priority," Google states in its announcement. Parents will be informed every time their child starts using Gemini and will be able to adjust the settings or cancel access completely at any time through Family Link. This app allows parents to set limits on app usage, manage settings, and monitor their children's online activity.
Special Protective Measures
Google has implemented several key safety features specifically for younger users:
- Data and activity from children under 13 will not be used to train Google's AI models.
- Special filters will attempt to block inappropriate content, although Google acknowledges that these filters are not perfect.
- Children will be able to use Gemini through the website (gemini.google.com) or mobile apps on Android and iOS devices, provided they are signed in to their account under parental supervision.
"Gemini can make mistakes," the company warns in emails sent to families. Parents are therefore encouraged to teach their children to verify factual information, remind them that "Gemini is not a person," and ensure that they never share sensitive personal information with the chatbot.
Educational Potential and Creative Uses
According to Google, Gemini is designed to support children's education and creativity. It can help with homework, answer curious questions, or even create stories. The Google AI Developer pages even include examples of how Gemini can be used to create interactive stories for children. "Imagine a tool that helps your child understand complex concepts in a way that makes sense to them, or that encourages their imagination while writing creative stories," explains a Google product manager. "That is the potential we see in Gemini for the younger generation."
Concerns and Risks
Despite all the safety measures, concerns remain. Experts from the Common Sense Media organization warn of potential risks associated with children's use of chatbots. These include exposure to inaccurate information or inappropriate content due to the limitations of current filtering technology. "Chatbots like Gemini can sometimes provide harmful advice or worsen mental health issues among minors if they are not properly monitored," warns Dr. Jana Nováková, a psychologist specializing in children's digital safety. The magazine The Conversation directly calls this move by Google "risky" in its article and emphasizes that technology companies should bear greater responsibility for protecting younger users from the potentially harmful effects of AI.
A Guide for Parents
Google has prepared a range of resources for parents explaining the basics of generative artificial intelligence so that they can have conversations with their children about safe usage. On the Google Families support pages, parents can find detailed information about how to:
- Set up and manage access to Gemini through Family Link.
- Explain to children how artificial intelligence works and what its limitations are.
- Teach children critical thinking when evaluating information provided by AI.
- Monitor children's activity and discuss their experiences.
International Context
Google's approach comes at a time when international organizations such as UNESCO are calling for stricter regulations on the use of generative AI by minors in educational contexts. In Europe, the introduction of Gemini for children is expected to be subject to stricter regulations in line with the GDPR and other regulations protecting children in the digital space.
Making Gemini available to children under 13 is a double-edged sword - on the one hand, it opens up new opportunities for education and creative development, while on the other, it brings challenges in the areas of safety and protecting children online. Parents will play a key role, as they will have to carefully balance the potential benefits against the risks and actively participate in their children's digital lives. Google emphasizes that this step is part of a broader vision of making technological innovations accessible to all generations, while also acknowledging its responsibility to ensure a safe environment. Only time and the experiences of Gemini's first young users will show whether the right balance can be found.
