Google is rolling out access to its Gemini AI app for children under parental supervision, according to a report from The New York Times. Parents using Google’s Family Link service received emails notifying them that their children will soon be able to use Gemini on supervised Android devices.
Google says the goal is to help kids with tasks like reading stories or completing homework. The company clarified that, like its Workspace for Education accounts, data from children will not be used to train its AI models. However, Google also issued a caution in the same email, reminding parents that Gemini “can make mistakes” and children “may encounter content you don’t want them to see.”
While some AI errors are harmless—such as suggesting glue as a pizza topping or miscounting letters in a word—others have raised more serious concerns. AI platforms like Character.ai have faced criticism after children reportedly struggled to tell chatbots from real people. Some chatbots even claimed to be human, which led to lawsuits over inappropriate content. Character.ai has since added new restrictions and parental controls.
In Gemini’s case, Google advises parents to talk to their children about the tool. The company stresses that Gemini is not human and children should avoid sharing personal or sensitive information during interactions.
Children under 13 will be able to turn on and use Gemini themselves through Family Link, which allows parents to manage screen time, app access, and content filters. Google spokesperson Karl Ryan told The Verge that parents can disable Gemini through Family Link at any time. Additionally, they will receive another notification the first time their child accesses the app.
