Google has announced plans to open access to its artificial intelligence assistant, Gemini, for children under 13. This will apply to devices managed by parents through the Family Link app. According to the company, children will be able to use Gemini for tasks like homework assistance, asking questions, or generating fairy tales tailored to their age. The AI assistant will be available on Android and iOS apps, as well as the web version of Gemini. On Android devices, parents will even have the option to set Gemini as the default assistant.
Safety Measures and Parental Guidance
At the same time, Google has issued a warning regarding the unpredictability of its AI model. “Gemini can make mistakes,” the company noted, urging parents to guide their children in critically evaluating the assistant’s responses. Google emphasized that children need to understand that Gemini is not a real person—it may respond like one but does not possess consciousness or emotions.
As part of this initiative, Google advises parents to explain to their children the importance of verifying any information the AI provides and to avoid sharing confidential or sensitive data with the assistant. The company also reminded families that, despite having content restriction mechanisms in place, these are not foolproof. There is still a risk that Gemini could display inappropriate or unwanted material.
Parental Controls and Rollout Timeline
Control of the child’s interaction with the assistant will be managed through the Family Link app, notes NIXsolutions. This system allows parents to monitor and set usage limits, ensuring a safer digital environment.
Google has not specified the exact date when the children’s version of Gemini will become widely available but stated that further updates will be shared in due course. We’ll keep you updated as more details and timelines are confirmed.
This development reflects Google’s broader effort to expand AI usage across age groups while maintaining a level of caution appropriate to the technology’s current limitations.