Kid Safe Search Sites



Resources for School Librarians - Index

Kid Safe Search Sites

Menu: Subject Indexes | Search Engines |Ad Blockers | Fun and Educational Sites | Web Safety and Media Reviews

Subject Indexes

Infoplease
An online almanac, encyclopedia, and dictionary. This site also has a daily almanac, breaking news, and fun stuff. Many annoying ads.
Online dictionary, encyclopedia and almanac. Also homework help and some fun and games links. From Information Please. Many annoying ads.
KidsSites.Com
A rather limited number of sites, but the ones included are good ones. Ads.

Search Engines

Google
Go to the settings and turn on safe search. I find better results using Google than in using these sites which offer a "safe search". Google seems to have fewer ads than they do. You might want to a look at the digital resources which Google offers to families.
Kiddle
Kiddle is a Google search engine for kids. It seems to be free of pornography, but there are, of course, Google ads at the top of the results list. The results page has illustrations, and it is possible to search for images, videos, and news. There is also a kpedia which is a kiddle encyclopedia. Kiddle uses Google safe search but is not affliated with Google.

Duck, Duck Go
Duck Duck go is a combination search engine and browser. Duck Duck Go says that it will remove trackers following your movement on the web. Duck Duck Go has a safe search setting.
Bing
Microsoft's search engine with links to artificial intelligence in Copilot. Instructions for using the safe search option on Bing

Kid Safe Browsers and Search Sites
This is list from Common Sense Media. Make sure that you read the comments from people who have used the sites that are listed.

List of Search Engines
This an extensive list of search engines by Wikipedia. It will keep you busy for a long time.

Artificial Intelligence Search Engines

They are out there and it is best that we become familiar with them and decide if that is what we want to use for students.

    Gemini - This is Google's artificial intelligence search engine. For information about Gemini and its use go to here
    Copilot - This is the AI which is associated with Bing. It has assistants for graphics, fitness, and cooking and vacations. Maybe I did it wrong but the cooking assistant never gave me a baked ziti recipe.

Ad Blockers

I am appalled by the number of ads which appear on web sites for children. I am posting some information on ad blockers here, and you are on your own in trying them out.

Our Favorite Ad Blockers and Browser Extensions to Protect Privacy
this is from Wirecutter, the product testing service of the New York Times. Jan. 10, 2023

Ad Blocking
This is a lot of information about Ad Blocking from Wikipedia

Tom's Guide to the Best Ad Blockers of 2024
I do not know Tom, but I hope he is a reliable judge of software.

Trackers

Yes, you are being followed around the internet by trackers who gathering and selling your information.

How to Check the Privacy Report for web site tracking on Safari,
Using this on the Mac will show how many trackers are waiting for you. This is from ZD Net, August 25, 2022.
Turn on Do Not Track on in Chrome
They say that this may or may not work

Fun and Educational Sites

Enchanted Learning
Education, crafts, and games for the K-6 set. I only found one ad per page. You need to pay to use the full site.
PBS Kids
Fun for the preschool set. No ads.

Child Safety on the Net and Media Reviews

Stop Bullying.gov
Information on cyberbullying from the US government.
A Parents' Guide to Facebook
By Ellie Collier, April 3, 2020.
Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok
From Commonsense Media, They have other guides under Parents Tips
A Parents' guide to You Tube and Internet Streaming for Kids
A good guide by Aviva Zacks, 2022
Growing Wireless
Many wireless networks provide means for parents to control their children's use. There is also quite a bit of information on how to teach children the safe use of wireless.
Media Smarts
An extensive site with information for children, parents and teachers. The information provided deals with all forms of the media. By the Canadian Centre for Digital and Media Literacy
Get Safe Online
Information about protecting your computer, your identity, and your business information while online.
Kid's Online Safety
Articles for both parents and kids. This site is by the Federal Trade Commission.
Kids and Mobile Phones
Information from the Federal Trade Commission
Childnet
An international group working to promote online safety. There is information here for young people, parents, and teachers.
Common Sense Media
Reviews of TV, web sites, books, and music. Also, this site has articles on media use and abuse.
Entertainment Software Review Board
Check here for ratings of game software.
Loot Boxes in Childrens' Video Games Encourage Gambling
This article from Forbes describes how loot boxes in games may lead to addictive gambling
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Please address any comments, additions, or corrections to Linda Bertland, retired school librarian, at info@sldirectory.com.