In an email, Google notifies that it is planning to allow access to Gemini for children under 13.
With tech becoming an integral part of our daily lives, organizations have grasped who their target audience is. It’s not merely techies, employees, and client companies.
Tech businesses have realized that they can cater to children under the age of 13, too. And by making Gemini available to this particular user base, Google is vying for young users. And enthusiastically introducing AI products to them – to concoct stories, ask questions, and seek help with homework.
But there’s a limitation.
The AI chatbot will be available only to children with parent-managed accounts leveraging Family Link. The parents, on behalf of their kids, make a user account by providing Google with the name and DOB. Then, the parents can sign into Gmail and opt for YouTube for their kids. This ascertains safety and regulates the use.
This update comes as the Trump administration urged schools and colleges to facilitate the use of AI tools in learning. And for tech powerhouses, launching their AI bots to a specifically vulnerable population could accelerate its adoption.
At least this is the hope because this enthusiasm has risks, especially for teens.
AI is a significant tool, but its downsides are plenty. It offers in-depth research and solves the query at hand, but it is known to misinform and generate inappropriate images. What if the children come across something you don’t want them to see?
Where do we draw the line?
Only time will tell. For now, Google has planned on giving parents the authority – the company will alert them and let them manage the official access. The plan has been laid out for next week, but how it’ll come to fruition remains a mystery.