Google launches Gemini chatbot for children under 13
Google rolled out its Gemini chatbot to children under 13 through parent-controlled Family Link accounts, despite warnings from child safety groups and UNICEF that the technology poses risks of misinformation and manipulation to minors.
What happened
Google announced it would roll out its Gemini AI chatbot to children under 13 with parent-managed accounts through its Family Link service starting in May 2025. Parents received emails from Google explaining that children could use Gemini to ask questions, get homework help, and create stories.
The chatbot includes safeguards such as specific guard rails to prevent production of unsafe content and a commitment not to use child data for AI training, according to a Google spokesperson.
Reported impact
Children's groups and UNICEF have warned that AI chatbots pose serious risks to child safety, including the potential to confuse, misinform, and manipulate young children who may not understand that chatbots are not human. The bots sometimes make up false information.
Common Sense Media declared that AI companions represent an 'unacceptable risk' for people under 18, citing instances where AI systems have been found to respond to users with graphic sexual content. Researchers have documented bugs that allowed users to circumvent safeguards designed to protect minors.
Index analysis
The deployment accelerates use of chatbots among a vulnerable population as major technology companies compete to capture young users, with President Donald Trump recently urging schools to adopt AI tools for teaching and learning.
Governance controls
Google stated that Gemini includes specific guard rails for younger users and committed not to use data from children with Family Link accounts to train its AI model. Parents can control access and settings through the Family Link service.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.