Google has recently announced the launch of its new Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, specifically designed for children under 13. This new product will be available in the United States and Canada within the next week and is expected to roll out in Australia later this year. Notably, the chatbot will only be accessible through Google's family-linked accounts, allowing parents to have some control over children’s usage.
When setting up a child’s account, parents are required to input the child’s name and date of birth, which may raise concerns about privacy and data security. Google stated that the data collected when using this system will not be used to train AI systems. However, it is worth noting that the chatbot is enabled by default, so parents need to manually disable the feature to restrict access.
The Gemini AI chatbot allows children to ask questions via text or generate images, encouraging interaction with the robot. Google acknowledged that the system might produce errors, thus requiring careful evaluation of the quality and credibility of generated content. Unlike traditional search engines, AI tools generate new content by recognizing patterns, which may confuse young users in understanding the information.
Google has designed some safety mechanisms to prevent the generation of inappropriate content for children. However, these measures may also lead to misjudgments. For example, while restricting certain sensitive words, they might inadvertently affect children’s ability to access appropriate educational content.
In response to the potential risks AI chatbots pose to children, the Australian eSafety Commission has issued online safety advice. They pointed out that AI companions may spread harmful content, distort reality, and provide dangerous advice. This is particularly important for young children who are still developing their cognitive abilities and may lack sufficient critical thinking skills to identify false information.
Meanwhile, Australia plans to ban children under 16 from using social media starting in December. While parents protect their children's safety, they also need to educate them on how to use various digital tools correctly and safely. To ensure technology companies take responsibility, legislation on digital accountability becomes especially crucial to effectively address harmful content and protect children's safety.
Key Points:
🔒 Google launches the Gemini AI chatbot, specifically designed for children under 13, but privacy concerns cannot be ignored.
📱 Parents need to actively manage children’s usage permissions; the default-enabled features must be manually disabled.
⚠️ The Australian eSafety Commission warns that AI chatbots may bring harmful information; parents need to strengthen education and supervision.