Gemini Safety Settings

Gemini safety settings help families review Google’s AI assistant, its saved activity and its access to other services. Gemini can answer questions, help with learning and generate content. Young people may encounter it on the web or inside familiar Google products. For parents, the account type and country are especially important.

For parents, begin with the age rules and account type, then review the controls that apply to your device. This guide separates protective settings from family advice. In addition, check permissions again after a major update or a change of account.

Age Rating and Child Safety Warning

Google’s standard personal account eligibility is age 13 or the applicable age in the country. Separate supervised access exists in eligible regions. However, Google says Gemini Apps are not available for supervised accounts in the European Economic Area, including Ireland, Switzerland or the UK. Do not change a child’s birth date to get around this restriction. Read the provider’s age guidance.

A school account has separate administrator rules and does not automatically provide the same features as a personal account. Likewise, adult personalization tools are not child controls. Check the exact account before following any settings below. An app store rating does not override Google’s account requirements. Review the relevant account guidance.

Restrictions Available

Manage Supervised Access Where Available

The Family Link switch applies only where the child’s supervised account is eligible.

• Parent: Open Family Link and select the child.
• Next, open Controls, Gemini and Gemini Apps. Turn access off or on as appropriate.
• Finally, for older Family Link layouts, look under Controls, Content restrictions and Gemini.

Why it matters: However, this is not a working route around the Ireland or UK restriction. In addition, an access switch does not let parents read every conversation.

Gemini Safety Settings

Some Gemini safety settings depend on the plan, region or account. Use the version specific instructions below, and keep the provider’s help page open if your menu differs. A missing option should never be treated as an active protection.

Gemini: Review Keep Activity and Retention

Saved activity can include prompts and data shared during Live conversations.

• On the web, open Settings & help and Activity.
• Next, select On and then Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.
• Finally, if keeping history, select Deleting activity older than … months or Choose an auto-delete option. Choose 3, 18 or 36 months, select Next and confirm.

Why it matters: However, with activity off, chats can still remain for up to 72 hours. In addition, switching this off does not disable every device connection.

Review Audio, Video and Screen Recording Improvement

A separate choice governs whether recordings help improve Google services.

• Open Settings & help and Activity.
• Next, keep Improve Google services with your audio and Gemini Live videos & screenshares off unless you deliberately want to contribute these recordings.

Why it matters: However, this switch is separate from ordinary activity retention. In addition, stop screen sharing before opening private messages, photographs or school records.

Gemini: Use a Temporary Chat

A temporary conversation avoids normal history and personalization.

• Start a new Gemini conversation and choose Temporary chat. Check the temporary indicator before typing.

Why it matters: However, temporary chats are kept for up to 72 hours for service and feedback processing. In addition, they do not remove information you send to other services.

Turn Off Memory of Past Chats

Eligible adult personal accounts can use past conversations for personalization.

• Open Settings & help on the web, or your profile menu in the app.
• Next, open Personal context and turn off Memory.
• Finally, to remove remembered details, delete the conversations containing them from Gemini Apps Activity.

Why it matters: However, this is not a teen supervision control. In addition, memory requires an eligible adult account and Keep Activity. Removing source conversations may take time to affect responses.

Gemini: Disconnect Personal Intelligence Apps

Personal Intelligence can draw on private information in other Google services. It is for eligible adults and is unavailable in Ireland and the UK under Google’s current regional rules.

• Where available on the web, open Settings & help, Personal Intelligence and Connected Apps.
• Next, turn off each connection you do not need. On mobile, find the same options through the profile menu.

Why it matters: However, disconnecting does not remove information already copied into past chats. Therefore, delete those chats separately. Availability of ordinary device actions differs from Personal Intelligence.

Check Phone, Messages and Other Device Connections

Turning off history does not automatically stop every connected action. Review connected services separately.

• On the web, open Customize in the sidebar. If absent, open More first.
• Next, select Connectors, choose the app, open More options and select Disconnect. Follow any remaining confirmation.
• Finally, on Android, separately review the available Phone, Messages and WhatsApp connections.

Why it matters: However, an assistant can expose information through calls or messages as well as answers. Therefore, keep adult accounts and private communications off a child’s shared device.

Gemini: Remove Public Chat Links

A public link is a separate item from the conversation saved to your account.

• On the web, open Settings & help and Your public links.
• Next, find an unwanted link and select Delete public link. Use Delete all links if you intend to remove every link.

Why it matters: Manage public links explicitly instead of assuming that deleting history has removed every shared copy. In addition, other people may already have saved a copy.

Delete Gemini Activity

Delete saved activity when it is no longer needed.

• Open Settings & help and Activity.
• Next, select Delete and choose All time or the relevant period. Review and confirm.

Why it matters: However, also inspect Gems and public links separately. In addition, verify that a shared link no longer opens before relying on removal, and remember that other people can retain copies.

Gemini: Restrict Camera, Microphone and Location Access

Device permissions provide another layer of control. Menu labels vary by operating system.

• On Android, open device Settings, Apps and the app hosting Gemini, then Permissions. Review Camera, Microphone and Location.
• Next, on iPhone or iPad, open Settings, Privacy & Security and each permission category. Turn off access for Gemini where unnecessary.

Why it matters: Gemini may still infer a general location from the network. In addition, only share a screen or camera when the scene contains nothing private.

Protect the Google Account

Account security protects Gemini history and the wider Google services connected to it.

• Open your Google Account and Security.
• Next, under How you sign in to Google, open 2-Step Verification and complete setup. Review recovery details and signed in devices.

Why it matters: A compromised Google account can expose much more than AI chats. Therefore, use the account owner’s security settings rather than sharing adult credentials.

Gemini: Review Subscriptions and Data Before Leaving

Gemini activity, Google AI billing and the Google account are separate decisions.

• Open Google One and its Settings to review Cancel membership for a direct plan. For a store purchase, use the billing store.
• Next, open Google Takeout to select the relevant data and request an export.
• Finally, if closing the whole account, open Google Account, Data & privacy and Delete your Google Account. Read the service loss warnings.

Why it matters: Deleting a Google account can also remove email and other services. In addition, prefer deleting Gemini activity if that is the only data you intend to remove.

Gemini Safety Settings for Actions

Restrict Lock Screen Access

These Android controls restrict different uses while the device is locked.

• Open Gemini, then Menu, your profile and Settings.
• Next, select Gemini on lock screen. Review Use Gemini without unlocking.
• Finally, turn off Make calls and send messages without unlocking if unwanted.

Why it matters: However, one switch does not control every lock screen action.

Disable Task Mode and Clear Remote Data

Eligible accounts can let Gemini work using remote tools.

• Open Menu, Settings and Task settings.
• Next, under Use task mode to hand off work, select Turn off.
• Alternatively, select Delete beside Delete remote browser data or Delete remote code execution data to clear those stores.

Why it matters: However, disabling task mode deletes remote browser and code execution data and pauses schedules. It keeps task threads and created files. Local Chrome data also needs separate review.

Gemini Safety Settings for Automatic Browsing

The local Chrome connection and remote task browser are separate.

• In Chrome, open More, Settings, AI Innovations, then Gemini in Chrome. Turn off automatic browsing access for the device if unwanted.
• During browsing, choose Stop in the Gemini in Chrome side panel. To cancel the whole task, also select Stop in the Gemini text box.

Why it matters: Stopping local browsing can leave the task using remote tools. Therefore, review task mode and its stored remote data separately.

How to Use Gemini Safely

For a teenager’s learning, ask them to explain the answer without looking at the screen. Check the original source together and compare it with the school’s instructions. In addition, review saved Gems and any instructions that contain family details. A custom instruction can influence replies but does not enforce a parental safety boundary.

Review Gemini safety settings together, then ask for explanations rather than accepting an answer you cannot follow. For example, compare a generated summary with the original material and check unfamiliar links before opening them. Keep passwords, addresses and private photographs out of prompts, even when a privacy switch is off.

Essential Safety Advice and Current Concerns

AI can produce persuasive errors, imitate people and generate harmful material. A friendly reply can also encourage someone to reveal more than they intended. Therefore, discuss what your family considers private and how to leave an uncomfortable interaction without shame.

Never use an assistant’s reassurance as proof that a person, investment or link is genuine. If another user pressures a young person to send images, money or passwords, stop the interaction and seek help. In addition, agree a human contact for problems that feel difficult to explain.

Report an Unsafe or Incorrect Reply

Feedback helps Google investigate problems with generated content.

• Under the response, select Bad response or the thumbs down control.
• Choose Offensive / Unsafe where appropriate and select Submit if adding feedback. For a legal concern, open the response’s More menu and Report legal issue, then follow the prompts.

Why it matters: Reporting does not replace help from a trusted adult. Furthermore, associated prompts, replies and connected content can accompany feedback, so review any optional attachments. Stop the conversation if the output becomes upsetting.

Listen calmly if your child reports a worrying experience. For urgent safeguarding concerns, seek appropriate help rather than waiting for a platform reply. In immediate danger, contact emergency services on 112 or 999 in Ireland. CODA’s contact form is for education enquiries.

Platform Support and Regional Differences

In Ireland, the UK and the USA, follow the service’s current terms and the controls available to the actual account. Privacy law and a provider’s minimum account age are separate matters. A privacy consent rule does not give a child permission to ignore a stricter service age limit.

For privacy concerns, start with the provider’s support or privacy request route. Families in Ireland can consult the Data Protection Commission’s parent guidance. UK families can use ICO guidance, while US families can consult FTC children’s privacy guidance. These resources explain rights and reporting, rather than certifying any app as safe.

Gemini Safety Settings Checklist

• Confirm the service age rules and use the correct account type.
• Review saved activity, memory, sharing and connected services.
• Protect sign in, recovery access and the devices used.
• Check purchases and renewal dates before accepting a trial.
• Practise how to stop a chat, report a problem and ask a trusted person for help.

Gemini Safety Settings FAQ

Do these settings make Gemini safe for every child?

No. Begin with the provider’s age rule and suitability for the individual child. Controls reduce particular risks, while content and the way someone uses an assistant can still cause problems.

Does turning off training delete conversations?

No. Training choices, history deletion and memory are separate controls. Review each one and check information already shared with other services or people.

Should a parent share an adult login?

Avoid sharing an adult account. It can expose private history, payment details and connected services, while bypassing protections attached to a correctly identified teen account.

Related CODA Guides

Return to AI Assistants or AI Safety Settings. For wider family guidance, explore Resources for Parents.

References

Account age requirements: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Account eligibility and protections: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Gemini: Review Keep Activity and Retention: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Gemini: Use a Temporary Chat: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Turn Off Memory of Past Chats: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Gemini: Disconnect Personal Intelligence Apps: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Check Phone, Messages and Other Device Connections: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Gemini: Remove Public Chat Links: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Gemini: Restrict Camera, Microphone and Location Access: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Protect the Google Account: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Gemini: Review Subscriptions and Data Before Leaving: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

Report an Unsafe or Incorrect Reply: official instructions for the account rule or control above.

DPC parent privacy guides, ICO public guidance and FTC children’s privacy information. Regional rights and support resources.

Restrict Lock Screen Access: official instructions for the action control above.

Disable Task Mode and Clear Remote Data: official instructions for the action control above.

About Children of the Digital Age

Children of the Digital Age provides online safety education and training for families, schools and organisations. Our work connects practical safety guidance with cybersecurity and an understanding of online behaviour.

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For education about Gemini safety settings, contact us to discuss parent sessions or school presentations. Tell us which service your family uses and the topic you would like to understand.

Last updated: 15 October 2026