Google Is Adding Gemini AI to Your Child’s Account, but You Can Turn It Off
Starting this week, Google will begin allowing children under the age of 13 to use Gemini on their accounts . Both online and through the Gemini mobile app, kids can use Google Gemini to help with homework, create songs, poems, and more.
Parents began receiving notifications about the update near the end of last week, according to an email published by The New York Times and Chrome Unboxed . This leads to major changes in the company, and bold ones at that. While parents will receive an email when their child uses Gemini for the first time, access to AI is nonetheless added by default rather than opt-in. Google encourages conversations with your kids about what to expect from AI, but if you’d rather go beyond that, you can at least opt ​​out.
How Google Gemini for Kids Works
Children under the age of 13 will have automatic access to Gemini AI through the Gemini website and the Gemini iPhone and Android apps when the update is released. This also includes personal assistant features on Android, which are now managed by Gemini rather than Google Assistant.
Google says children’s accounts will have filters and restrictions in place to ensure your kids don’t see anything they shouldn’t. It also says that the release will be gradual and some features may not be available in certain regions. But the company warns that parents should still be vigilant.
Google invites you to sit down with your kids and have a really honest conversation about what artificial intelligence is and how it works. According to Google, you should explain to your children that Gemini is not a real person, that sometimes they can make things up , and always double-check Gemini’s work. Yes, and you should also tell them not to share any personal information with a Gemini. All of this is good advice not only for children, but for anyone using artificial intelligence tools.
How to disable access to Google Gemini for children’s accounts
Access to Google Gemini can be disabled and controlled using Google Family Link, which is Google’s suite of parental controls.
First, go to the Family Link website or open the Family Link app. Then select your child’s account from the list.
Then go to Manage > Gemini . Turn off the Gemini Apps feature to prevent your child from accessing Google’s AI on either the web or mobile apps (at least using their own account).