A Safer Internet Experience

We teach our kids that Digital Citizenship means the appropriate and responsible use of technology.  Using technology safely and ethically to access information is important in our technology-driven world.  But, just because we have access to all the information, doesn’t mean we should, and this is especially true with our kids.  How do you search the Internet?  More than likely, you Google it, and our kids do too!  So, if our kids are going to use Google, lets talk about some options.

Google is one of the most popular search engines used today.  Like all search engines, it is a system designed to let us search for web sites on the World Wide Web.  Yes, the World Wide Web.  That’s a lot of web sites!  When the Safe Search feature is turned on in Google it will filter out inappropriate content including inappropriate images.  It isn’t 100% accurate, but it helps.  Did you know there are Google-powered search engines specifically designed to ensure safe and kid-friendly searching for kids of all ages? Below are four excellent Google-powered search engines worth a closer look.

Google Safe Search for Kids

When using Safe Search for Kids, the Safe Search feature is automatically turned on.  It actually overrides any computer settings you may already have turned on.  This means there is an automatic filter on images searches to protect kids from inappropriate images and other content.  You can read more about it here.  Click on the icon below and try it out for yourself!

Google Junior

Google Junior uses Google Custom Safe Search to filter out inappropriate content.  Click on the icon below and try it out for yourself!

KidzSearch

KidzSearch was designed with feedback from Teachers, Administrators, and Parents.  When searching for information using KidzSearch, the results are automatically filtered for harmful content, and the results are high quality and child friendly.  You can read more about KidzSearch here.   Click on the icon below and try it out for yourself!

KidRex

KidRex is a fun search engine geared to a much younger audience.  Like the others, it also has an automatic filter on harmful content.  KidRex has a really useful tips for on-line safety page.   Click on the icon below and try it out for yourself!

All of these search engines can be set to your computer home screen.  While it may not be possible to watch our kids 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, we can encourage the use of kid- friendly search engines to ensure a safer internet experience.