Social platform · Low risk
Is Google Chat safe for your child?
Age guide
13+
We advise Google Chat from age 13 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk).
- 5-8
- Google Chat is not designed for this age group and requires a Google Account, which has an age restriction of 13+ in most regions.
- 9-12
- Children in this age range are generally too young for a Google Account, which is required to use Google Chat, and may encounter content or interactions beyond their developmental stage.
- 13-15
- Teenagers can use Google Chat for group projects or communicating with friends, but parents should monitor their participation in public spaces or spaces with unknown contacts, as direct messaging is a core feature.
- 16+
- Older teens might use Google Chat for school, work, or social groups, and should be aware of privacy settings for direct messages and shared files, understanding how their information is visible to others in various spaces.
Google Chat is a communication service developed by Google, primarily for team collaboration and business use, but also available for personal accounts. It integrates with other Google Workspace services and allows for direct messages, group conversations, and shared files.
- Age guide
- 13+
- Overall risk
- 3/10
- Violence
- 1/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 2/10
- Stranger contact
- 3/10
- Addiction risk
- 5/10
- Language
- 2/10
- Influence
- 2/10
What parents should know
Google Chat is a communication platform primarily used for direct messaging and group collaboration within Google accounts. It integrates with other Google services, making it a common tool for school or work-related communication for older children. Parents should focus on privacy settings and teaching responsible communication habits, especially regarding direct messages and participation in group 'Spaces'.
What to do about Google Chat
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 Google Chat is 13+, and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact Google Chat setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it. - What to say
Word-for-word openers for talking about Google Chat without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in Google Chat that mean it is time to step in.
Google Chat age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is Google Chat?
Parentwise puts Google Chat at 13+. We advise Google Chat from age 13 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). Violence scores 1/10, language 2/10, stranger contact 3/10 and addiction risk 5/10.
Can a 10 year old use Google Chat?
Not by default: we advise Google Chat from 13+, so at 10 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Children in this age range are generally too young for a Google Account, which is required to use Google Chat, and may encounter content or interactions beyond their developmental stage.
Can a 12 year old use Google Chat?
Not by default: we advise Google Chat from 13+, so at 12 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Children in this age range are generally too young for a Google Account, which is required to use Google Chat, and may encounter content or interactions beyond their developmental stage.
Can a 13 year old use Google Chat?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for Google Chat (13+). Teenagers can use Google Chat for group projects or communicating with friends, but parents should monitor their participation in public spaces or spaces with unknown contacts, as direct messaging is a core feature.
Is Google Chat appropriate for kids?
Google Chat is a communication platform primarily used for direct messaging and group collaboration within Google accounts. Parentwise rates Google Chat overall as low risk (3/10), with stranger contact at 3/10 and addiction risk at 5/10.
Is Google Chat family friendly?
Google Chat is one of the lower-risk titles we rate. It integrates with other Google services, making it a common tool for school or work-related communication for older children.
Google Chat parents guide: what should a parent know first?
Google Chat is a communication platform primarily used for direct messaging and group collaboration within Google accounts. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (3/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (5/10).
Is Google Chat safe for kids?
We advise Google Chat from age 13 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). It integrates with other Google services, making it a common tool for school or work-related communication for older children.
Parents also checked
Browse all 1,275 entries · Read our safety guides
Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.