Is Google’s Gemini AI Safe for Kids Under 13? The Risks Behind the Rollout

Google’s Gemini AI is coming for your kids—and parents are scrambling to keep up. Starting in the U.S. and Canada, and later in Australia, Google will soon let children under 13 use its Gemini chatbot through Family Link accounts. While the tech giant promises safeguards, experts warn this move could expose kids to misinformation, inappropriate content, and blurred lines between AI and reality. Let’s dive in.

🤖 The Problem: Why Gemini for Kids Is a Double-Edged Sword

Google’s rollout targets a vulnerable demographic: children still developing critical thinking skills. Here’s why it’s risky:

• AI Hallucinations: Gemini can “make up” facts (like ChatGPT’s infamous legal brief blunder), risking homework errors or misleading explanations.
• Overblocking Safeguards: Filters blocking words like “breasts” might accidentally censor puberty-related health info, leaving kids in the dark.
• Trusting Machines: Kids may think Gemini is a “real person” due to its human-like responses, making them vulnerable to manipulation (per Australia’s eSafety Commission).
• Social Media Ban Loophole: Australia’s under-16 social media ban won’t apply to Gemini, leaving parents to juggle new tech threats.

✅ The Proposed Fix: A Digital Duty of Care

Experts argue legislation, not just parental controls, is needed to protect kids:

• EU/UK Models: Laws requiring tech firms to mitigate harms at the source (e.g., age checks, content moderation) already exist overseas.
• Accountability for Big Tech: Google claims Gemini’s child data won’t train its AI, but a legal framework could enforce transparency and penalties.
• Parental Education: Teaching families to fact-check AI outputs and discuss digital literacy becomes essential.

⚠️ The Challenges: Why Safeguards Aren’t Enough

Even with Google’s promises, roadblocks remain:

• Tech-Savvy Kids: Children often bypass parental controls—AI’s allure could make restrictions harder to enforce.
• “Feeling Rules” Trap: Gemini mimics social niceties (e.g., “I’m sorry!”), tricking kids into trusting it like a friend.
• Parental Burnout: Monitoring AI interactions adds to the already overwhelming task of policing screens.

🚀 Final Thoughts: Can We Trust Google With Our Kids?

Gemini’s launch highlights a harsh truth: AI moves faster than regulation. Success hinges on:

• Urgent Legislation: Australia’s stalled digital duty of care bill needs revival to hold tech giants accountable.
• Transparent AI Design: Google must clarify how Gemini’s safeguards work—and where they fail.
• Evolving Education: Schools and parents need resources to teach kids AI literacy alongside math and reading.

What do YOU think? Should AI chatbots be restricted for children—or is this the future of learning?

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Sources: Lisa M. Given. Google is rolling out its Gemini AI chatbot to kids under 13. It’s a risky move, 2025-05-09. https://theconversation.com/google-is-rolling-out-its-gemini-ai-chatbot-to-kids-under-13-its-a-risky-move-256204