Google Gemini Safety Guide
What parents need to know about Google Gemini — including how it appears on school devices, what data it collects, and how to limit children's access.
Official age
13+
We recommend
13+
Developer
Risks
3
Overview
Google Gemini is Google's AI assistant, integrated across Android devices, the Chrome browser, Google Search, and Google Workspace for Education. Unlike standalone AI tools, Gemini is woven into products children already use daily — which means many children encounter it without a deliberate choice to do so. On school-managed Chromebooks and Google accounts, Gemini may be enabled by default, giving children access to a powerful AI assistant in an educational context where oversight is limited.
How children use it
Children encounter Gemini through Google Search (where it provides AI Overviews), through Android phones where it may replace the Google Assistant, and through Google Docs and Gmail in Workspace for Education. Many use it to summarise articles, draft text, and answer questions. Because it is embedded in familiar tools, children often use it casually without considering the privacy implications.
Main risks
Recommended privacy settings
Gemini Activity Controls
Location: Google Account → Data & Privacy → Web & App Activity → Include Gemini Apps activity
Set to: Paused
Pausing this setting prevents Gemini conversations from being saved to your child's Google account and reduces long-term data retention.
SafeSearch
Location: Google Account → Search Settings → SafeSearch
Set to: Filter explicit results
SafeSearch filters explicit content from Google Search results and provides some additional protection in AI-generated responses. Essential for children's accounts.
Supervised Google Account
Location: Family Link app → Manage your child's account
Set to: Enabled for under-13s
Google Family Link gives parents oversight of children's Google accounts, including the ability to review apps, set screen time limits, and manage account permissions. Children under 13 must use a supervised account.
Parent actions
Check whether your child's school Chromebook or Google Workspace account has Gemini enabled and contact the school if you have concerns
Time: 15 minutes
Set up Google Family Link for children under 13 and review activity controls for older children's accounts
Time: 20 minutes
Talk with your child about the AI Overviews that now appear in Google Search results and how to evaluate AI-generated summaries critically
Time: 10 minutes