Google’s AI Search Function is Not Safe For Kids
Google Search’s built in AI functions (AI Overview and AI Mode) pose a very real risk for students and youth, as shown by a Common Sense Media report. These AI functions repeatedly showed dangerous messages to SafeSearch accounts representing minors.
On top of that, if parents wanted to protect their kids from using AI while still allowing them to use Google, there is no way to use parental controls to turn these AI modes off. Additionally, there is no indication that they plan to implement this in the future. Google holds a near-monopoly on the search engine market, not to mention other internet functions. It is pretty much impossible for parents and teachers to take precautions against AI harming children.
When schools require students to use AI, or even just to use Chromebooks, they are putting them in direct danger. We need to protect students from the harms of dangerous AI chatbots. AI chatbots have no place in the classroom, and only harm students’
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Hannah Grabenstein | PBS | July 15, 2026
