Definitions

Contracts with Kids discuss and set up rules for computer use.

Time Limiting limits time online.

Filtering & Blocking limits access to some sites, words, and/or images.

• Sexually Explicit - graphic descriptions or images
• Hate Groups - advocating bigotry or hatred
• Graphic Violence - violent images, language, bomb-building, etc.
• Criminal Activity - promoting illegal activity
• Other Categories - alcohol, games, advertising, politics, sports, etc.

Block Outgoing Content prevents kids from revealing personal information online.

Browsers for Kids do not display inappropriate words or images.

Kid-Oriented Search Engines perform limited searches or screen search results.

Monitoring Tools alert adults to online activity without blocking access.

There are both pros and cons to keep in mind when using these types of tools.

Please Note: GetNetWise staff gathered this information from the companies that make these tools. We cannot guarantee the effectiveness of these products, nor do we endorse any products.

Other Information

How ISPs are Helping -- Many Internet and online service providers also offer safety solutions by selling or including these tools with their services and adopting "Acceptable Use Policies", or "Terms of Service Agreements".

Web Ratings Systems -- Many companies that produce Web sites voluntarily rate and label their sites, using a system knows as "PICS" (Platform for Internet Content Selection).

Internet Issues in the Community -- When children use the Internet in school or in a library, their experiences will be different than when they are at home. Libraries and schools may have different rules for Internet use than your family, because they must serve the needs of diverse children and families.

Home / Kids' Safety / Tools for Families / Search Safely

Tools for Families

Turn on Filtering in Web Search Engines

Parents have expressed concern about their younger children -- those under 10 years old -- inadvertently viewing sexually explicit material on the Internet. Generally speaking, kids under 10 are not at the age when they are actively seeking out sexually explicit material online. Nevetheless, parents can take steps to prevent their young children from being inadvertantly exposed to sexual images and text while they are online.

One tip that GetNetWise suggests is turning on "filtering" in the online search engine that your family uses. That will minimize the chance that an innocent search may inadvertently return something sexually explicit. You can change the settings in most top search engines to filter search results and it is easy to do. Find your favorite search engine below and follow the spep-by-step instructions on how to activate the filtering feature.

Note: This tip really is meant for parents of young children under 10. Older children or children who are actively looking for sexually explicit material online can easily bypass search engine filtering. To keep teens away from sexually explicit material you may need to find a more comprehensive, locked-down filtering tool like those found in the GetNetWise Tools Database.

Below, please find detailed video tutorials on how to enable your favorite search engine to return filtered results.

	AOL Search Safe
	Ask.com Search Safe
	Google Safe Search
	Windows Live
	Yahoo!