Google is already a mega-player in the world of social media.  Teenagers, adults, and young adults can’t help but encounter Google in their daily lives.  However, in an attempt to further their already wide reach and expand their growth, Google is beginning to target another demographic: children.

Currently, the US age minimum on those who can officially own a Google account is 13.  Reportedly, this new initiative will permit younger users (likely 13 and under) to set-up their own YouTube accounts with a “child-safe” version of the site, which would block them from viewing unsuitable content.  

Additionally, reports hints that users will start being required to disclose their age when they sign up for a Google account via Android devices.  And as another security feature, parents will be given a dashboard application which would would enable them to better monitor their children’s activities on Google services.  Currently, many children are most likely already accessing Google’s account-only services through dishonest means, such as false age reporting.  

While Google is refusing to comment on the speculation or rumors, the potential is undeniable: children are adapting to technology and social media at increasingly young ages, and parents are already concerned with what their children might be seeing online.  Child-safe versions of their web services would not only open up a whole new demographic for Google, but it would also encourage the previous generation, i.e. the parents, to become even more familiar with Google services.   

Sources:  Mashable and ITProPortal