When it comes to kids, selecting a search engine is very important. Thus, search engines for kids help eliminate hazardous and harmful information so children can navigate through age-appropriate materials without risks. Moreover, it provides families peace of mind knowing your children are safe while exploring the internet.
Thus, in this article, we will discuss what a kids’ search engine is, its functions, how it differs from standard search engines, and examine 10 children’s safe search engines. So, come with us!
What is a search engine for kids?
A search engine for children is a type of software designed to help kids explore the web safely. It’s similar to Google and Bing, but it has some unique features specially designed for children.
Unlike standard search engines, these platforms dedicated to young learners remove hazardous or age-inappropriate material. They also eliminate links to pornography, violence, or tactical websites. In addition, the vocabulary used on such search engines is very simple, and therefore, your child would not need help from an adult to understand the information.
Why do children require a specialised search engine?
However, keep in mind the fact that the internet has a wealth of information meant for adults; this is the reason why children require specialised search engines. Even with the best of motives, they will come across things which are shocking and inappropriate for their age. A search engine meant for children acts as barriers which help guide their exploration safely.
This also aids the parents equally by giving them peace of mind. This is because they know their kids do not face challenges while searching for school-related information or recreational activities. Hence, this also cultivates safer online learning setups during homeschooling.
What makes a search engine safe for kids?
A search engine tailored for children is usually developed by keeping in mind their wellness while navigating the internet. For instance, there are specific protocols that combat privacy invasion, facilitate learning, and safeguard sensitive information. So, let’s explore its key features!
- Filters for explicit content: Kid search engines will ensure to restrict access to any sexually or violently explicit material. In addition, these filters are also set to screen websites and prevent pages that fall below a certain age rating from being accessed. Thus, children can freely navigate without the risk of stumbling upon dangerous content.
- Kid-friendly design and navigation: Moreover, keep in mind that children’s tools must match their literacy and cognitive skills; this simplifies what the children approach. That’s why safe search engines offer simple designs, big buttons, legible text, and large fonts. This increases children’s freedom within set boundaries, enhancing the level of control and also reducing the information overload.
- Educational vs. entertainment focus: Search engines designed for kids will always prioritise education over entertainment. For each search query, the educational search engine retrieves content exclusively from verified articles, videos, or websites. Thus, this stokes interest and aligns with school assignments without undue distractions.
- No tracking or ads: A number of search engines meant for children do not track queries or display ads. This protects children from being marketed to and keeps their privacy safe. This also reduces the risk of children clicking on fraudulent or harmful links unknowingly.
Use parental controls to customize the websites your kids can visit.
Therefore, all these elements help provide a much safer and simpler experience for children to explore the internet.
10 safe search engines for kids
Exploration is a big part of what growing children do, but safety is also something that should be considered during the learning process. Instead of using regular search engines that may show inappropriate content, safe search engines designed specifically for kids and families can give unparalleled protection during an online adventure.
In this section, we will discuss and explore 10 safe search engines that are perfect for children.
i. Kiddle
Kiddle is one of the most popular search engines tailored only for kids. It features bright colours, space themes, and larger-than-life pictures, which make their search so much more lifelike. Kiddle uses Google’s Safe Search but adds more filters to block even more inappropriate content.
Kiddle also uses a distinct method in making searching easier for children by having the friendliest pages that are simple and easy to read as the first results. This enables children to learn without stress.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very simple to navigate. Every outcome has a picture. age-appropriate answers in an answer hierarchy. | Some subtopics may be devoid of content. Does not offer a plethora of games or videos. |
ii. KidzSearch
Similarly, KidsSearch provides a one-stop shop for searching for videos, games, music, and images. KidzSearch is like Google for Kids – it is a safer version of Google. Everything unsafe is filtered, and only content that is safe and educational is provided, making it great for school projects or fun facts.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great educational resources and materials. Helpful for advanced school projects. Works on all devices. | The homepage has an overwhelming clutter of information. A little overwhelming and cluttered for some users initially. |
iii. Safe Search Kids
This online tool helps children learn while being protected on the internet. Safe Search uses Google as a foundation but places a very strong filtering system to block dangerous content. It is ideal for looking up information for homework as it helps the child stay focused on their work and blocks distracting content.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sleek and well-organised design. Gives tools for assignments and information. Also covers YouTube safety tips. | Less engaging and visually captivating. More appropriate for older children or scholarly pursuits. |
iv. Swiggle
A UK-based team of educators focusing on children’s learning developed this tool. It serves as an all-in-one educational search engine with features that offer secure content for in-depth research as well as supplementary learning materials.
Furthermore, the site has a warm and cheerful interface along with many relevant videos and websites. This enhances independent or guided study, making Swiggle an outstanding educational resource.
| Pros | Cons |
| Structured and easy for children to use. Access to relevant instructional materials is effortless. Useful for school-aged children requiring guidance. with homework. | Search results are less tailored to a child’s. developmental level. Geography restricted access. |
v. KidRex
KidRex is a delightful, simple search engine designed to look as if drawn by a crayon. It utilises Google’s search engine to only pull up content suitable for children. What makes KidRex special is how visually friendly and easy to navigate it is for younger users. It’s perfect for toddlers and preschoolers beginning to explore the online world.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very simple and fun Fast and easy to use. Drawings and layout feel friendly. | Infrequent updates. Possible compatibility issues with mobile devices. |
vi. GoGooligans
This site offers a search engine specifically for younger users, helping them to navigate the Internet in a secure and playful fashion. It categorises topics such as science, animals, and many more to make it easier for young children to look for information.
Furthermore, it is like a verified children’s website’s digital library. Also, the illustrations are inviting and filled with vibrant colour, which can aid in capturing the attention of children.
| Pros | Cons |
| Organised into topics like animals, science, and fun. Very colourful and exciting to explore. Designed for young learners. | Some pages take time to load. A few hyperlinks may lead to dead pages. |
vii. Wacky Safe
Wacky Safe search engine has a lot of appealing games for children. Only content that is suitable for young children is displayed, making browsing the Internet a blend of fun and filtered safety. The bold look, combined with Wacky Safe’s easy layout, allows young children to search for information and find games without much supervision.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very colourful and playful. Younger kids can understand easily. Helpful for some fun and safe games. | Restricted to certain themes. Better for PCs than phones. |
viii. Kidtopia
Kidtopia was developed by educators to help children learn in a safe and straightforward manner. The information provided comes from reputable educational databases, ensuring its credibility. Kidtopia has math, reading, science, and art. It is extremely helpful for performing class research assignments.
| Pros | Cons |
| Integration of history and geography. Useful for completing school tasks. Entertainment and education combined. | Outdated design. Some topics might be under-researched. |
ix. Fact Monster
Fact Monster acts as a customised online tutor, encapsulating vast amounts of information into a user-friendly interface for children. It is filled with an overabundance of facts, quizzes, and other tools to enhance learning. Children can search for information by topic or browse through sections filled with fun facts, games, and study aids. It is useful for doing homework or exploring information independently.
| Pros | Cons |
| Most suitable for schools and other educational institutions. Fun hobbies and interests that are informative. Very systematic and clear. | More focus on education rather than entertainment. Too rigid for very young children. |
x. Quintura For Kids
Quintura For Kids provides ways to search the internet that are different from the usual search engines. Instead of offering results in a list form, it provides a clickable word cloud containing words that one may use to get more ideas and draw connections to diverse topics. This transforms the search into a game, making it more enjoyable. As a result, it is a fantastic tool for students who want to learn topics in a different manner.
| Pros | Cons |
| Safe content only An engaging way to search and learn new concepts Fosters creativity and exploration | Not as colourful as other software. It can take a while to get used to the interface. |
How to make a safer search experience for a family?
The internet is an invaluable resource for family learning, recreational activities, and exploration. But, unrestricted access to the internet can pose a major risk to family safety. So, here we’ll give you some suggestions on how to ensure cybersecurity for the entire family.
- Set parental controls or filters: One testable suggestion is the application of parental filters that restrict certain apps or websites. Thus, children can’t view a multitude of dangerous sites. Moreover, with parental filters on, there is no stream of harmful information during searching, and seeking knowledge will be available with no pain.
- Along with this, FlashGet Kids parental control software allows users to blacklist certain applications and websites, thus preventing kids from accessing them. Furthermore, you can block access to newly downloaded applications until they have your permission to be opened, which guarantees children’s safe browsing on the internet.
- Teach digital literacy skills and online safety: Before anything, every internet user should know about safe internet practices. This includes knowing how to recognise specific unsafe sites so that you do not accidentally click on them. These preset good practices help your family make smart and safe online decisions.
- Use child-friendly browsers or extensions: Additionally, children are automatically protected from threats by specially tailored searching tools and engines. Children’s search engines simplify the search process by blocking dangerous and perilous websites. Therefore, with these tools, your families can safely navigate the web.
- Monitor browsing history: Monitoring the pages accessed through devices aids in supervising children’s digital interactions. You can also use FlashGet Kids’ parental control for this task. It gives you detailed reports that enable parents to see which kind of websites or apps kids have used and for how long.
In short, when appropriate measures have been implemented, the family can embark on a safe adventure together on the internet.
Closing thoughts
Now, from all the above discussion, we can say without hesitation that search engines for kids will streamline the process of keeping children protected while they are online. We have covered almost 10 search engines specially designed for kids in this article, and all of them provide multiple options which would give your child the rare opportunity to learn while being simultaneously protected.
To add another layer of protection, you may consider FlashGet Kids, a program that guarantees 100% safety for children online. For example, its app blocker and browser safety settings can prevent children from accessing dangerous content. In addition, you can also screen mirror children’s devices and limit their screen time, thus ensuring a balance between offline and online activities. Hence, the choice is totally yours!
