Google says teens should not treat Gemini like a companion

For many teenagers today, conversations are no longer limited to friends or family.

Sometimes, they happen with AI.

That shift is exactly what Google is now responding to.

In a recent update, the tech giant clarified that its chatbot, Gemini, is not designed to act as a companion, especially for users under 18. The move comes alongside a series of changes aimed at better supporting users’ mental health.

Among them are built-in safeguards to ensure the chatbot does not come across as overly human or emotionally engaging. The intention is to avoid teens forming a sense of attachment to something that, ultimately, cannot understand them.

The concern is not without basis.

Experts have long warned about the risks of young users turning to AI for comfort or advice, particularly during vulnerable moments. Last year, Common Sense Media even labelled Gemini as “high risk” for younger audiences, citing exposure to inappropriate content and questionable mental health guidance.

In response, Google says it is strengthening efforts to steer users towards real-world support. This includes a new feature that allows quick access to crisis helplines through chat, call or text, which can appear during conversations when needed.

It is part of a broader push to ensure AI remains a tool, not a substitute.

Earlier this year, Google and its parent company, Alphabet, were sued by the family of a man who allegedly took his own life following interactions with the chatbot. The company maintained that Gemini is not designed to encourage self-harm or real-world violence, while acknowledging that AI systems are not perfect.

Because while technology continues to evolve, some things remain unchanged.

Support still matters most when it comes from a real person.