Google has expanded its Gemini AI assistant to students under 18 using Google Classroom, reversing a previous policy that limited access to users 18 and older, according to reporting by the New York Times.
The move allows K-12 students in Workspace for Education domains to access the core Gemini chat interface once school administrators enable the feature and obtain parental consent through Family Link. Google first rolled out Gemini tools for educators and higher-education students earlier this year, but the extension to minors represents a significant policy shift for the company’s education products.
Features Available to Younger Students
Students under 18 can now use Gemini for guided learning, which provides step-by-step explanations on selected topics. The platform also offers quiz tools that provide hints and feedback, flashcard creation, and study guide generation based on uploaded materials or chosen subjects. For educators, Gemini generates lesson plans, quizzes, and instructional content while also addressing common misconceptions and translating materials across languages.
Google expanded Gemini in Classroom to all supported languages globally in recent weeks, with the rollout expected to take more than 15 days for full visibility across education domains. The company has stressed that student information is not used to train AI models, and administrators retain control over which features are enabled for their schools.
The expansion comes amid growing debate over AI in education. Some educators have praised the tools for saving time on administrative tasks and enabling personalized learning. Others have expressed concern about the implications of giving young students unrestricted access to generative AI, particularly around academic integrity and data privacy.
Privacy and Safety Concerns
A previous wave of Google’s AI tools launched in June 2025 drew criticism from education leaders. Jennie Dougherty, a K-12 education strategy expert, described the initial rollout as “pedagogically harmful,” arguing that the tools “lower the bar of excellence” and replace expert judgment with algorithmic guesswork. Google has since adjusted its approach, emphasizing that AI outputs should always be reviewed before being assigned to students.
The company’s decision to extend Gemini access to students under 13, who are protected under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, required obtaining verifiable parental consent through Family Link. Google says its technical implementation provides administrators with a binary choice between teacher-controlled access and student-initiated use, though critics argue this model lacks the nuanced supervision that experienced educators prefer.
Sources: The New York Times; Google Workspace Updates blog; EdTech Innovation Hub; ET-Mag
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