Google’s Gemini AI now open to kids under 13 – but experts raise red flags

Parental controls and educational promises meet growing fears over privacy and mental health risks for children. Gemini for kids may sound like progress, but the balance between educational support and safeguarding mental well-being is fragile. The AI-child relationship deserves a closer look — before it’s too late.

A kid-friendly AI?

Google has opened access to its Gemini chatbot to users under the age of 13, provided they are supervised through Family Link, the company’s parental control system. The move, aimed at expanding its user base, enters a delicate field filled with both educational potential and psychological hazards.

In an email to parents, Google claims Gemini will help children ask questions, get homework help, and invent stories. Parents will be notified at the child’s first login and can adjust or block access.

Red flags from researchers

Despite Google’s assurance of stronger filters, experts warn that kids may still encounter inappropriate content. Google advises against sharing sensitive data and reminds users that “Gemini is not human”.

According to Oxford psychologist Karen Mansfield, AI that mimics human behavior could impact children’s mental health more than social media. And Unicef warns that generative AI can mislead, confuse, or manipulate young minds.

An aggressive growth move?

Allowing kids to access Gemini is a clear attempt to boost adoption of Google’s AI tool, as Big Tech races for AI supremacy. But the consequences could be dire.

Common Sense Media reports that AI chatbots may encourage harmful behavior and worsen mental health issues. Meanwhile, Meta AI is already under scrutiny for sexually inappropriate conversations with minors.

Privacy laws in the spotlight

Google claims children’s data won’t be used to train AI models and that its move complies with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). But after previous fines for privacy violations, skepticism remains.

Digital Marketer Donato Paolino criticizes the move, arguing kids shouldn’t even have smartphones based on pediatric research highlighting their negative impact on healthy development.