Google Will Launch AI Chatbot For Kids Under 13

Google will soon roll out its Gemini AI chatbot to children under 13, raising concerns about safety, data privacy, and misinformation risks.

Google plans to introduce its Gemini AI chatbot to children under 13 years next week, as first reported by The New York Times. The new feature will become accessible to children with parent-controlled Google accounts through the Family Link system which allowes parents to establish email services and other features for their children.

“Gemini Apps will soon be available for your child,” Google said in an email to a parent of an 8-year-old, reported The Times. “That means your child will be able to use Gemini to ask questions, get homework help and make up stories.”

The chatbot includes safety features which prevent users from accessing harmful content according to The Times. The company spokesperson Karl Ryan explained that Gemini data from Family Link accounts will not be used to train its A.I. system.

Still, the move has raised concerns. Critics worry that giving young children access to powerful AI could confuse or mislead them, especially as these systems sometimes invent information or present themselves as human.

The Times reports that the global research office of UNICEF warned about Generative A.I. producing dangerous content because young users will have difficulty distinguishing facts from fiction.

The Times reports that the email to families from Google included some warnings about potential dangers. It stated that Gemini can produce errors, while informing parents to teach their child critical thinking skills, and to explain Gemini is not a human being.

The notification advised parents to instruct their children about protecting their personal information from the chatbot.

Although children will be able to use Gemini on their own at first, Google said parents would be notified and could control or disable access at any time. The Times reports that the company plans to notify users when their child first uses Gemini according to their statement.