Google to disable Search for schools rejecting AI
The gist
Google will keep Search and Gemini off school-managed K-12 student accounts until administrators opt in.
Schools wanting AI off may lose web search entirely, a trade-off now being weighed.
How it unfolded
- Jul 19, 2026Child safety watchdog Common Sense Media concluded Google's AI-powered Search poses an "unacceptable risk" to young users and urged students to stop using it until schools can disable the AI features.
- Jul 19, 2026Google offered no option to disable only AI features while keeping Search; parents and school administrators could only turn off Search entirely or block Google.com.
- Oct 28, 2026PCMag reported there is no official way to eliminate AI Overviews from Google Search.