Helping families search safer online
Every day, families turn to Google with questions big and small. Whether it’s asking for homework help or searching for “octopus facts,” access to information can be helpful and inspire curiosity. When you search, we aim to bring you the most relevant and reliable information while helping protect you and your family from shocking or harmful content. You can also choose from tools - like content filters or supervision controls - to make Google work best for your family.
Built-in safeguards that help protect all users, including children
Search technology and content policies are designed to help users avoid harm, and connect them with resources in moments of need.
Automated systems built for protection
Google processes billions of searches per day. Our automated systems enable Google to handle the immense scale of so many searches.
Our systems are designed to prioritize what appears to be the most useful and helpful content on a given topic. Our systems are also designed not to surface content that violates our content policies.
For example, even when SafeSearch is off, our ranking algorithms are designed to reduce unwanted sexualization by limiting porn or explicit results for queries that aren’t seeking them out.
Policies to protect children online
We’ve carefully developed content policies for Google Search to balance the real concerns about content safety, alongside the need for a search engine to provide access to information.
For example, we have implemented a policy to help anyone under the age of 18 to request to have images of themselves removed from search results. One instance where this could be useful is to reduce the risk of cyberbullying.
We also partner with organizations globally to provide resources to combat key content safety issues like child sexual abuse.
High-quality information in moments of need
When you search for information about sensitive topics like health or in emergency situations, you might see an informational panel from authoritative sources or get crisis prevention information in your search results.
This information comes from partnerships with recognized authoritative sources and crisis services across the web.
See here for a full list of our content policies.
Content filters and supervision controls to help make Google work best for your family
Add an extra layer of protection by choosing content filters or supervision tools to manage what your children can discover online.
Content filters for explicit content
Content filters for explicit content
For an added layer of protection, you can turn on SafeSearch to help filter most explicit results, like pornography.
SafeSearch is on by default for signed-in users under 13 (or applicable age in your country) who have accounts managed by Family Link. Parents also have the option to turn it off or block access to Search all together. SafeSearch filtering is also the default setting for users under 18.
When you use other Google products to search, you also have options to filter content like limiting certain websites on Chrome or by filtering music with explicit lyrics on Google Assistant.
Manage your child’s account and devices
Manage your child’s account and devices
Set up parental controls & supervise your child’s account with tools like Family Link.
Family Link helps you manage your child’s account and devices as they explore online. Set screen time limits, manage the content your child can see, and know their location when they have their device with them.
School administrators can manage what children discover online
School administrators can manage what children discover online
Many schools already have policies in place for SafeSearch and other tools to help build safe digital learning environments.
Within primary/secondary schools that use Google Workspace for Education products, SafeSearch and SafeSites are now on by default, and Guest Mode and Incognito Mode will be disabled to ensure a safer experience for K-12 institutions. School admins can still change each of these policies on ChromeOS for individual organization units, for example turning off SafeSearch or allowing the use of Guest Mode.
Resources to educate and empower you and your family to explore online
We build special features and design educational resources to help families and children of all ages navigate the web with confidence.
Find family-friendly content so you can explore together
Whether it’s finding out what to watch, or picking games to help you learn at home, we’re investing in being more helpful when you search for information as a family.
You can now discover family-friendly games and activities on Google Assistant through our Actions for Families program.
Help children be smart, confident online explorers
Be Internet Awesome teaches kids to navigate the internet by learning the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety. The program was developed by Google in partnership with iKeepSafe and The Net Safety Collaborative to enable families and educators to learn to be safer online at home and in the classroom.
