One of our priorities as teachers, educators and parents is to ensure that our students and kids use the Internet in appropriate, safe and secure ways. The best way to do it is through education and practice. Digital literacy and digital citizenship are two key theoretical concepts to start with.
Understanding and teaching the principles of these concepts to students will definitely empower them with the required insight and know-how to help them navigate the web in a safer and effective way.
Another way to help kids make the best of the Internet is through providing them with relevant kids-friendly search engines. These are search engines designed specifically for young audiences. As you know, popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing offer built-in safe search features to filter out irrelevant and explicit content.
For instance, Google provides these guidelines to help you learn how to filter explicit search results using safesearch setting. However, these features alone are not enough and do not always prove to be effective. Hence the importance of the collection below.
For instance, Google provides these guidelines to help you learn how to filter explicit search results using safesearch setting. However, these features alone are not enough and do not always prove to be effective. Hence the importance of the collection below.
Kids can also use tools like citation builders and research guides to help them learn how to do research properly. With the help of these search engines, kids can now explore the web safely and responsibly.
Below is a collection of some of the best safe kids search engines to try out.
1- Kidtopia
Kidtopia is both a search engine and a directory designed by school librarians for kids. Its search functionality is enhanced by Google Custom search allowing kids to enjoy Google features with the least possible amount of commercial and distracting content.
Kidtopia also features a huge collection of kids friendly websites curated by teachers and school librarians covering areas such as social studies, arts, language arts, animals, math, technology, games, and many more.
2- Kid’s Search Engine
Kid's Search Engine, as its name indicates, is a safe search engine for kids. It provides kids with an age-appropriate platform where they can search the Internet in a safe and secure way. It uses Google's Safe Search technology and a host of filtering tools to provide kids with appropriate search content.
The site also features a directory containing links to peer-reviewed and kids-friendly platforms and websites. Kid' s Search Engine also includes an image and video search functionality that enables young learners to search for and access educational video content online.
3- Kiddle
Kiddle is 'a visual search engine for kids powered by Google, offering safe kids web, image, and video search. Results are vetted by editors.’
4- DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is not necessarily designed for kids but it does however offer features that allow users to search the net without compromising their private and personal information. DuckDuckGo does not store search history, doesn’t run ads, and does not track users.
5- GoGooligans
GoGooligans is another kid search engine that provides a number of important features including: use of Google index to retrieve results, apply different kinds of filtering features, excludes inappropriate sites and keywords, offers search in over 30 languages , and many more.
6- KidRex
KidRex is 'a fun and safe search for kids, by kids! KidRex searches emphasize kid-related webpages from across the entire web and are powered by Google Custom Search™ and use Google SafeSearch™ technology.’
7- Safe Search Kids
Safe Search Kids uses Google Safe Search to provide search results. It also provides other features for safely searching for images, videos and wikis.
8- KidzSearch
"Family-friendly safe search engine for children. KidzSearch safe search technology is always on and cannot be turned off by clearing cookies or using a different computer. Results are always Strict Filtered. Nothing to install. Free public service."
9. SweetSearch
SweetSearch is an online search engine that allows kids and other users to safely search the web without worrying about inappropriate or unreliable results. SweetSearch uses a proprietary algorithm to filter out results that may be inappropriate or unhelpful for young users.
It only returns websites that have been reviewed and approved by educators and librarians. The results are ordered by relevance, but with additional filtering options such as subject, age range, etc. SweetSearch also features a safe image search where users can safely look for photos and images.
The search engine also provides kids with useful educational tools such as a citation builder and a research guide. The citation builder helps kids format their citations correctly according to the chosen style (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago). The research guide provides tips and steps on how to conduct research. It is a great resource for kids to learn how to properly search for reliable information.
The search engine also provides kids with useful educational tools such as a citation builder and a research guide. The citation builder helps kids format their citations correctly according to the chosen style (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago). The research guide provides tips and steps on how to conduct research. It is a great resource for kids to learn how to properly search for reliable information.
10. Swiggle
Swiggle is an innovative search engine that not only offers a safe and secure way to explore online content, but also encourages responsibility among its users. With the help of SwiggleBot, users can search for useful information and images without having to worry about inappropriate content. In addition, if they come across anything that they deem to be inappropriate, users can immediately report it and have the content blocked.
Swiggle is powered by Google Custom Search and utilizes Google SafeSearch to ensure that the content returned is appropriate. Additionally, Swiggle has also been configured to prioritize educational content, making it an ideal search engine for students and educators alike.
