How to keep your kids’ online searches safe

Whether you need to look up some data or are in the mood for a shopping spree, Google is probably your first port of call. With over 6 million searches carried out on the platform every single minute, you’re not alone – and kids are just as likely to turn to the internet giant, or another search engine, to find what they’re looking for. Having so much information readily available can definitely make life easier, but also creates concerns about what your children might stumble upon. Teaching your kids safe internet habits and supporting them with the help of Qustodio’s parental control tools will go a long way to keeping them safe. Read on for our tips.

Switch on Safe Search

Many search engines have built-in tools to improve safety. Google and Bing’s SafeSearch feature removes explicit content, such as adult images and graphic violence, from search results. Meanwhile, YouTube’s Restricted Mode prevents your child from seeing inappropriate videos when they search on the platform, as well as hiding video comments and live streams.These two features are an easy way to get some peace of mind, and both can be managed with Qustodio. Just log in to your Qustodio account and go to your child’s Web filtering settings. Switch on Enforce Safe Search. This will switch on restrictions for Google, Bing, and YouTube – and also prevent your child from being able to turn them off in their browser settings. 

Be aware of what your child is searching for

Keeping an eye on what your child is searching for has numerous benefits: You’ll be the first to know if your child searches for anything concerning, and you’ll get a good insight of what’s on their mind. However, it’s not realistic to sit right next to your child as they browse the web. That’s where Qustodio’s activity timeline comes in handy: it shows their full search history so you can stay in the know even when you’re not in the same room. Qustodio’s dashboard also gives an overview of searches, showing which words they’re most frequently looking for so you can look out for any trends. Prepped with this information, you can strike up a conversation with your child when it’s most relevant, whether it’s regarding something you’re concerned about or simply to jump in and help them with a homework query.To monitor your child’s searches with Qustodio, you just need to head to their profile and scroll to the Web searches card for an overview, or go to their Timeline to see every search in chronological order.

Receive AI-powered search alerts

For some parents, checking every single search might not be ideal – you’d prefer to just know if there’s something you should be concerned about. Qustodio allows you to do this with its AI-driven search alerts. When switched on, you’ll receive a push notification and an email if your child searches for something potentially worrying, such as content related to:BullyingViolenceDrugsPornographyIllegal activityYou’ll then be able to read the full details in your child’s activity timeline and help them tackle any problems they’re facing immediately. If you’re looking for help in approaching any problems you find, Qustodio’s Learning Center is full of tips to tackle difficult topics like cyberbullying and negative body image.To activate search alerts, simply head to Web filtering in your child’s rules page, go to Settings, Alerts, and switch on the toggle for Searches.

Help your child use online search mindfully

It’s tempting to turn to Google or YouTube as soon as the thought strikes. However, a search for homework help can quite easily turn into a 10-minute deep dive into a topic only tangentially related. Remind your kids that there are other ways to find information – whether that’s taking some more time to think about the subject, talking to you, or checking their books. That way, there’s less chance of stumbling across unsafe content and of distraction.

Teach them to question what they read

Search engines aim to put the most relevant results as high as possible. However, that doesn’t mean that you necessarily have to trust everything you see. Teach your kids to check that the websites they’re being presented with are reliable, to question what they read, and to cross reference multiple sources.

Encourage them to talk to you

Children are naturally curious. Ensure they know that if they have questions about anything, from puberty and relationships to mental health, they can come to you. As well as building your relationship, learning about these topics from you will allow you to ensure they receive information appropriate for their age. If your child does search online for something you would have preferred for them to ask you about, don’t panic. Creating a space for open dialogue will also help them to feel comfortable in coming to you if they find something they’re concerned about. 

With so much uncontrolled content available online, it’s normal to feel some worry about what your child might discover. Using a combination of search engine parental controls, Qustodio, and consistent communication with your child, will help to ensure they have a positive experience when browsing online.