Whenever we need to search for something, we usually go to search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, type in our search keywords, and receive millions of results within a few seconds. Through these internet platforms, we can find relevant information easily and quickly.
The purpose of Safe Search is to filter out explicit content and protect users, especially kids, from potentially harmful online information. Turning off Safe Search can be a double-edged sword; it can provide more online freedom for adult users, but it can also pose a security risk if abused by kids. However, there are always ways for kids to turn off Safe Search on their computers and mobile devices. Parents should know how to turn off SafeSearch, as well as keep it enabled to ensure a safer online experience for kids. Maintaining a balance between accessibility and security in kids' digital lives
This article provides PC and mobile solutions on how to turn off Safe Search, as well as effective ways to block kids turn off Safe Search.
Part 1: How to Disable Safe Search - PC Solution
Google SafeSearch is the best solution to ensure online safety for children. Parents can enable this feature on their kids' devices to hide inappropriate and explicit results and restrict their access to websites containing violent, sexual, or abusive content.
However, here's how kids can turn off SafeSearch on PC:
Step1 Access Google
1. To start with, launch Google Chrome or any browser you are using such as Firefox or Safari
Step2 Sign In to Your Google Account
1. Click on the Sign In button located at the top right corner
2. Enter your email and password to sign in to your Google account
3. If you don't have a Google account, tap Sign Up and create a new account
Step3 Go to Settings
1. Once you have accessed your Google account, tap Settings in the bottom-left corner
2. From the available options, tap Search Settings
Step4 Turn off SafeSearch
1. In Search Settings, you will find the SafeSearch Filters section
2. Under this section, uncheck the Turn on SafeSearch option to disable this feature
3. Tap Save to save your settings
Part 2: How to Turn Safe Search Off - Mobile Solution
Mobile phones have become a necessity in today's digital era. These tiny little devices can help us find anything, anywhere by using relevant keywords in search engines like Google. According to an estimate, nearly 63% of organic search traffic in the US originates from mobile phones.
This means kids using mobile phones are highly vulnerable to inappropriate or explicit web content. Parents need to be careful regarding their children's internet searches to protect them from scammers and online risks.
Here's how your kids can bypass the explicit results filter by disabling SafeSearch on Android and iOS:
1) How to turn off safe search on Android
Step1 Launch Google App
1. On your Android phone, tap the Google icon to launch Google app
2. Tap the More icon located in the bottom-right corner as shown in the figure.
Step2 Go to Settings
1. Scroll down and tap the Settings option to optimize SafeSearch settings on your Android phone
2. Go to General settings
Step3 Turn Off SafeSearch
1. In General settings, scroll down and tap the SafeSearch option
2. Slight the toggle switch to the left to disable the SafeSearch feature
3. Verify that SafeSearch has been turned off.
2) How to turn off safe search on iPhone
Step1 Launch Google App
1. On your iPhone, tap the Google icon to launch Google app
Step2 Open Google Account
1. Tap on your profile picture to access your Google account. If the profile picture is not visible, sign in to your Google account or create a new account
Step3 Open Account Settings
1. Once you have accessed your Google account, scroll down and tap Settings
Step4 Hide Explicit Results
1. In settings, tap Hide Explicit Results. This option is used to enable/disable the SafeSearch feature
Step5 Turn Off Explicit Results Filter
1. Finally, toggle the Explicit Result Filter switch to the left to turn off this filter and disable SafeSearch on your iPhone
2. Tap More about SafeSearch to get detailed information about this feature and customize these settings according to your privacy requirements.
Part 3: Why Kids Want to Turn Off Safe Search?
Google SafeSearch feature filters the search engine results to prevent kids from accessing unsuitable content online. You can control the filter level depending on your restriction requirements. For example, if you have turned on moderate restrictions, you will get access to less explicit results that need parental guidance. For example, you can read topics like sex education and access biological images of the internal structure of the human body.
However, strict restriction completely blocks access to websites containing explicit, sexual, violent, pornographic, or inappropriate content that can misguide teenagers and encourage them toward unethical practices. When the SafeSearch filters are applied, kids can neither visit porn websites or adult platforms nor search for movies rated for 18+ users.
Hence, most kids don't like a restricted version of the internet where they don't have the freedom to access any website they want. These restrictions are for their benefit because visiting websites with inappropriate or explicit content can negatively affect their mental growth. But they don't understand the importance of these restrictions and try to pass them off.
Similarly, a large number of school-going children are taking an interest in movies and games that promote violence. This type of content leads to aggressive behaviors among kids and disturbs their social lives. The rising popularity of strategy games like PUBG and adult movies fascinates children. When they try to search for pornographic or violent content on Google, SafeSearch filters block websites with this type of content and show only kids-friendly websites.
As a result, kids try their best to turn off the SafeSearch filters and use an open version of the internet without any restriction or interference. Parents need to step in and provide their children with proper guidance regarding the negative impacts of inappropriate content and the potential risks involved with these websites.
Ensure safe search in kids' gadgets with the help of this video.
Part 4: Turn Off Safe Search Restrictions - FamiSafe
Google SafeSearch feature has made it easy for parents to filter explicit results and block inappropriate content on their kids' devices. However, this feature can be disabled very easily by accessing a Google account. This means your children can bypass content restrictions applied by parents and visit their desired content.
To address this issue, the world's most reliable parental monitoring app FamiSafe has come up with a brilliant solution. FamiSafe offers web filters and explicit text detection features, which give parents complete control over their kids' devices and help them keep an eye on their children's online activities.
With FamiSafe, parents can make a list of potentially harmful keywords. Whenever their kid tries to search for something, FamiSafe instantly blocks the search results and notifies parents. Moreover, the web filter analyzes all search results and approves them according to the age rating set by parents.
FamiSafe's internet filter and explicit text detection feature not only apply to web search results, but are also applicable to YouTube videos, text messages, and social media usage. This means parents can read their kids' conversations secretly and take prompt action if they identify any inappropriate keywords.
These features make FamiSafe a comprehensive parental monitoring software that gives parents complete peace of mind regarding their kids' online safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I turn Google SafeSearch off?
To disable Google SafeSearch, open the Google app on your phone, tap your profile picture, and click on Hide explicit results. Toggle the Explicit results filter and switch to the left to turn it off.
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How do I turn off SafeSearch on Google Chrome?
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Is SafeSearch automatically on?
In your Google Chrome, visit www.google.com, log in to your Google account, and tap settings. Then, select Search Settings from the pop-up menu and uncheck the Hide explicit results box to disable SafeSearch.
SafeSearch feature is automatically enabled on Google accounts that belong to users who are 12 years old or younger. However, for adult accounts, SafeSearch filters remain applied unless disabled by the account holder. Besides, only parents can turn off the SafeSearch feature if it has been enabled through the Google Family Link app.
Conclusion
The Internet is a huge source of reliable information on a wide range of topics. From learning history to finding the best summer deals, you can search for everything by using the relevant keywords on search engines.
While search engines have made online searches fast and reliable, they have also compromised the users' online safety. For instance, kids can easily access websites containing explicit, pornographic, or violent content through search engines. Thanks to the Google SafeSearch feature that addressed this problem by filtering search results and blocking websites according to the type of restrictions applied.
Parents who are still concerned about their kids' safety can use FamiSafe, an advanced parental monitoring app that blocks inappropriate sites and notifies parents if their kid uses inappropriate keywords. Unique features of FamiSafe give complete peace of mind and a sense of enhanced protection for kids.