Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Google made a bold move rolling out AI to young kids, but the safety organizations are unanimous: it's not ready for prime time with children. Even the sanitized U13 version serves up sexual content, drug references, and concerning mental health advice often enough that Common Sense Media says you need to sit right there with your kid while they use it.

The creative tools are legitimately impressive—turning prompts into apps, generating images, creating podcasts from text files. For a 17-year-old working on a school project or an adult brainstorming business ideas, Gemini is genuinely useful. But for younger kids? The risk-benefit calculation doesn't add up.

The deeper issue is that Gemini can do their thinking for them. It's not a learning scaffold; it's a shortcut. Kids can outsource their homework, their creativity, their problem-solving—and the app is designed to make that easy. You're not teaching research skills; you're teaching prompt engineering.

If you have a mature high schooler who needs research help and you trust them to critically evaluate AI outputs, okay. But for middle schoolers and younger? The 'close supervision' requirement basically means you're doing a second full-time job as AI content moderator. Most parents don't have time for that, and honestly, most kids don't need an AI assistant—they need to struggle through math problems and write bad first drafts and learn to think.

Google built something powerful here, but powerful doesn't mean appropriate for children.

Age Fit

Despite Google offering a U13 version, Common Sense Media is explicit: kids under 5 shouldn't use it at all, and ages 6-13 need close supervision because inappropriate content regularly slips through. Realistically, this is best for 16+ teens who can critically evaluate AI outputs and won't be harmed by occasional problematic content. Adults will find it genuinely useful.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

45

As an AI chatbot, Gemini lacks inherent emotional modeling or relationship dynamics. The tool itself is neutral, but Common Sense Media reports that Gemini U13 (the version for kids under 13) can share inappropriate content including sexual material, drugs/alcohol references, and unsafe mental health content—none of which model healthy emotional development. Even with supervision, the unpredictability of AI responses creates an unwholesome environment for younger users.

Imaginative

72

Gemini offers genuinely creative tools: image generation, Canvas for building apps/games/web pages, turning files into podcasts, and brainstorming features. The 'prompt to prototype' capability and interactive visuals for learning invite exploration and creative expression. However, it's a tool that does the creating FOR you rather than scaffolding your own creative process—it can shortcut imagination rather than build it. The creative potential is high, but the risk of over-reliance (noted by Internet Matters) tempers the score.

Safe

35

Multiple parent safety organizations flag serious concerns. Common Sense Media explicitly states kids under 5 shouldn't use any AI chatbots and kids 6-13 should only use Gemini U13 with 'close parent supervision' due to inappropriate sexual content, drug/alcohol content, and unsafe mental health content. Bark notes it offers 'access to the internet' which creates unpredictable exposure. While Google has created a U13 version with guardrails, the core issue remains: AI can generate harmful, age-inappropriate content that slips through filters. For an app marketed to help with productivity and creativity, the safety profile is concerning.

Enriching

58

Gemini offers legitimate educational features: quiz/flashcard creation, interactive visuals, real-world examples for studying, deep research capabilities, and connection to Google's knowledge ecosystem. The ability to process 1,500 pages of text or summarize complex topics has genuine learning value. However, the enrichment is passive—kids can use it to do work for them rather than develop their own skills. It's a research assistant, not a teacher. The cognitive growth potential exists but depends entirely on how it's used, and the temptation to outsource thinking is built into the product design.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely powerful creative tools—image generation, app building, podcast creation from text files
Can help with homework: quiz creation, flashcards, interactive visuals, and research summaries
Access to Google's ecosystem (Maps, YouTube, Gmail) makes it practically useful for daily tasks
For mature teens and adults, it's a legitimately helpful productivity and brainstorming partner
The Canvas feature (prompt to prototype) is genuinely innovative for rapid prototyping ideas

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What to Watch For

Common Sense Media is clear: inappropriate sexual content, drug/alcohol references, and unsafe mental health content can slip through even in the kids version
Kids can become over-reliant—using AI to do their homework instead of learning the material
You must enable access for under-13 accounts, but even then CSM recommends 'close parent supervision' which is code for 'sit right there with them'
The unpredictability of AI means you never quite know what response it'll generate—even innocent queries can produce problematic content
Requires subscription ($20-30/month) for advanced features like Deep Research and higher model access

Conversation Starters

"What did you ask Gemini today? Did any of the answers surprise you or seem wrong?"
"If you use this for homework help, how do you make sure you're actually learning and not just copying?"
"Has Gemini ever given you an answer that felt inappropriate or made you uncomfortable?"
"What's the difference between using AI as a tool versus letting it do your thinking for you?"
"If you were teaching someone about this topic, could you explain it without Gemini's help?"

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