In September, Google expanded its AI-powered search experience to teenagers in the US, providing them with enhanced results featuring additional information and links. Now, the company has extended access to its Bard AI chatbot for teenagers in most countries worldwide. To qualify, their language must be set to English, and they should meet the minimum age requirement to manage their own Google account, which varies between 13 and 16 years old depending on the country.
Google states that teens can utilize Bard to seek writing tips, such as crafting a class president speech, receiving suggestions on university applications, and obtaining assistance in generating ideas for science fair projects—questions typical of their age group. The company is also introducing a math learning experience, allowing teen users to input a math query or upload a photo for the chatbot to provide a step-by-step solution.
Similar to when Google opened Search Generative Experience (SGE) to minors, the company emphasizes the implementation of “appropriate safeguards.” Bard has been trained to identify inappropriate content for younger users, ensuring it refrains from delivering illegal or age-restricted responses.
Furthermore, Bard will automatically activate its double-check response feature when a teen user poses their initial fact-based question, as they may be unfamiliar with the common phenomenon known as “hallucination” in LLMs (Large Language Models). Hallucination refers to the generation of nonsensical and inaccurate responses. Google intends to implement double-check, which involves returning Google results for a question, for all new Bard users in the future. For teens, it will continue to recommend the use of double-checking even after their first question, aiming to assist them in developing information literacy and critical thinking skills.
Lastly, Google has devised a dedicated onboarding process specifically tailored for younger teens, including the presentation of an instructional video.
