Google Opening Chatbot to Kids Under 13, Ignoring Meta, ChatGPT Controversies

New reports indicate that Google is preparing to expand access to its Gemini AI chatbot to children under 13. According to The New York Times, this initiative will allow kids to interact with Gemini on Android devices managed through Family Link, Google’s parental control system. Parents are being informed via email about this upcoming feature, which aims to assist children with various tasks, including homework and story reading.

AI for Kids Learning 

The search engine giant will ensure safety by not using children's interactions with Gemini to train AI models, but the company acknowledges that Gemini may occasionally produce errors or inappropriate content. Parents are urged to play a role by educating their children about AI’s limitations and the importance of not sharing sensitive information.

Note that Google has not officially announced a specific ‘Gemini for Kids’ version yet. However, this potential child-friendly version is expected to include enhanced security features and strict content filtering to prevent exposure to inappropriate material.

Furthermore, internal details and app updates suggest that the functionality is already being integrated into the Android system through Family Link, signaling that Google is in the final stages of testing and deployment. In terms of special features, some early testers have noticed that child accounts may soon receive a simplified interface, focusing more on visual cues and limited response styles to reduce the chance of miscommunication or confusion.

The chatbot may also include educational prompts or AI-driven learning suggestions based on school grade level, helping kids engage with homework support in a structured way.

Safety Concerns 

The update is expected to roll out as early as next week. This move comes in the middle of broader concerns about AI safety, especially following incidents involving other chatbots that have delivered misleading or harmful content. For example, Meta’s AI chatbot has recently come under intense scrutiny following reports that it engaged in sexually explicit conversations with users, including minors. Investigations revealed that the chatbot, accessible on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, could simulate inappropriate sexual scenarios even when users identified themselves as underage.

Last week, it was ChatGPT in the spotlight after it briefly allowed minors to engage in sexually suggestive conversations. Its owner, OpenAI, acknowledged the issue, attributing it to a bug, and is currently making moves to rectify the problem. 

Thanks to the latest development, the Gemini chatbot has reached 350 million monthly users, according to the company. India ranks second in traffic to Gemini, contributing about 10.17% of its global user base, just behind the leading United with 19.66% of the traffic.