App · Low risk
Is Gmail safe for your child?
Age guide
13+ (or with parental supervision for younger users)
We advise Gmail from age 13 and up. Overall risk 2/10 (low risk).
- 5-8
- Children in this age range should only use Gmail under direct parental supervision, primarily for receiving emails from approved family members or school, with parents managing all settings.
- 9-12
- For this age group, Gmail can be introduced for school communications and limited personal use, with parents actively monitoring their inbox and teaching them about online safety and privacy.
- 13-15
- Teenagers can use Gmail more independently for school, social, and personal communication, but parents should continue to discuss best practices for email security, privacy, and avoiding scams.
- 16+
- Older teens are generally capable of managing their own Gmail accounts, but ongoing conversations about digital citizenship, data privacy, and the risks of phishing or spam are still beneficial.
Gmail is a free email service developed by Google, allowing users to send and receive messages, store contacts, and manage calendars. It integrates with other Google services, providing a comprehensive communication and productivity suite.
- Age guide
- 13+ (or with parental supervision for younger users)
- Overall risk
- 2/10
- Violence
- 1/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 2/10
- Stranger contact
- 2/10
- Addiction risk
- 3/10
- Language
- 2/10
- Influence
- 2/10
What parents should know
Gmail is a widely used email service that can be a valuable tool for communication and organization, especially for school-aged children. For users under 13, Google's Family Link allows parents to create and manage their child's account, offering controls over contacts and app usage. Regardless of age, it is crucial to educate children about email safety, including identifying phishing attempts, managing spam, and protecting personal information to ensure a secure online experience.
What to do about Gmail
Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.
- The age-by-age verdict
What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for Gmail is 13+ (or with parental supervision for younger users), and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact Gmail setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it. - What to say
Word-for-word openers for talking about Gmail without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in Gmail that mean it is time to step in.
Gmail age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is Gmail?
Parentwise puts Gmail at 13+ (or with parental supervision for younger users). We advise Gmail from age 13 and up. Overall risk 2/10 (low risk). Violence scores 1/10, language 2/10, stranger contact 2/10 and addiction risk 3/10.
Can a 10 year old use Gmail?
Not by default: we advise Gmail from 13+, so at 10 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. For this age group, Gmail can be introduced for school communications and limited personal use, with parents actively monitoring their inbox and teaching them about online safety and privacy.
Can a 12 year old use Gmail?
Not by default: we advise Gmail from 13+, so at 12 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. For this age group, Gmail can be introduced for school communications and limited personal use, with parents actively monitoring their inbox and teaching them about online safety and privacy.
Can a 13 year old use Gmail?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for Gmail (13+). Teenagers can use Gmail more independently for school, social, and personal communication, but parents should continue to discuss best practices for email security, privacy, and avoiding scams.
Is Gmail appropriate for kids?
Gmail is a widely used email service that can be a valuable tool for communication and organization, especially for school-aged children. Parentwise rates Gmail overall as low risk (2/10), with stranger contact at 2/10 and addiction risk at 3/10.
Is Gmail family friendly?
Gmail is one of the lower-risk titles we rate. For users under 13, Google's Family Link allows parents to create and manage their child's account, offering controls over contacts and app usage.
Gmail parents guide: what should a parent know first?
Gmail is a widely used email service that can be a valuable tool for communication and organization, especially for school-aged children. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (2/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (3/10).
Is Gmail safe for kids?
We advise Gmail from age 13 and up. Overall risk 2/10 (low risk). For users under 13, Google's Family Link allows parents to create and manage their child's account, offering controls over contacts and app usage.
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Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.