Children rarely stumble onto inappropriate content because they went looking for it. A misspelled cartoon name, an ambiguous school topic, or a quick image search can lead somewhere no parent wants. Safe search filters reduce that risk meaningfully — not perfectly, but enough to be worth setting up on every device your child uses.
This guide walks through the specific settings available on Google, Bing, YouTube, and at the device level for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. Each section explains what the setting actually does and what it does not cover, so you have a realistic picture of what you are putting in place.
For general online behavior and privacy habits, read our guide on digital citizenship for kids.
No filter catches everything. Safe search tools reduce accidental exposure to inappropriate content, but they are not a complete solution. A child who knows what to do when something unexpected appears — close the screen, tell a parent, no punishment for reporting it — is better protected than one who relies on filters alone. The settings below are a starting layer, not a replacement for that conversation.
Google SafeSearch
SafeSearch filters explicit images, videos, and text from Google search results. It is built into Google and free to use. Because most children start their searching on Google, this is the first setting worth turning on.
Turning It On in a Browser
- Go to google.com on the browser your child uses.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Settings, then Search settings.
- Under SafeSearch, select Filter.
- Scroll down and click Save.
This applies to that browser on that device only. If your child uses more than one browser — Chrome on a laptop and Safari on an iPad, for example — set it separately in each.
Turning It On in the Google App
On an iPhone or iPad, open the Google app, tap the profile picture in the top-right corner, go to Settings, then SafeSearch, and select Filter. On Android, the same path applies — the option may be labelled “Hide explicit results” depending on the app version.
Locking It So It Cannot Be Changed
A browser-level SafeSearch setting can be turned off by anyone who knows where to look. To lock it, manage your child’s Google account through Google Family Link — a free app that lets parents supervise a child’s Google account, including preventing SafeSearch from being disabled without a parent’s approval. Family Link works on Android devices and Chromebooks. For Apple devices, Screen Time (covered below) provides the equivalent protection.
Bing SafeSearch
Children using a Windows computer may end up searching with Bing through Microsoft Edge without either of you noticing — Edge uses Bing by default. Setting Bing’s filter is a quick step and worth checking on any Windows device your child uses.
- Go to bing.com in the Edge browser.
- Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
- Select SafeSearch.
- Change from Moderate to Strict.
- Save the change.
Like Google SafeSearch, this is a session setting that can be changed by the user unless locked through a Microsoft Family account — which is covered in the Windows section below.
YouTube: Two Different Options by Age
Google SafeSearch does not apply to YouTube. YouTube has its own content filter, and for younger children, Google also offers a completely separate app. These need to be set up independently of anything you configure in Google Search.
YouTube Kids (For Younger Children)
YouTube Kids is a separate app — available on iOS and Android — designed for children who are not ready for the main YouTube platform. It offers a more limited viewing environment, removes open comment sections, and lets parents set an age level or manually approve which channels are accessible. For young children on a tablet, using YouTube Kids is usually a safer starting point than relying only on Restricted Mode in the main YouTube app.
Restricted Mode (For Older Children on Main YouTube)
For older children who use the main YouTube app, Restricted Mode filters out videos with mature themes and removes comment sections from most videos. To turn it on: open YouTube, tap the profile picture, go to Settings, then General, and enable Restricted Mode. On a computer, scroll to the bottom of YouTube’s homepage, click Restricted Mode, and toggle it on.
One important detail: Restricted Mode is tied to the account, not the device. If your child watches YouTube without being signed into their account, the restriction does not apply. Make sure they are always signed in when using YouTube, and that their account has Restricted Mode enabled.
Device-Level Controls
Browser and app settings only protect within those specific apps. Device-level parental controls apply across the whole device — including any browser a child switches to and apps that were not individually configured. Setting these up alongside search filters gives a more consistent level of protection.
Apple Screen Time (iPhone and iPad)
Go to Settings, then Screen Time. Turn it on and set a Screen Time passcode that is different from the device unlock code — this prevents your child from changing the settings. Then go to Content and Privacy Restrictions, enable it, and tap Content Restrictions, then Web Content. Select Limit Adult Websites to block most explicit sites automatically. For younger children who are just starting to browse independently, Allowed Websites Only restricts Safari to only sites you have approved — a tighter option worth considering for the early years.
Google Family Link (Android and Chromebook)
Google Family Link is a free app that pairs a parent’s Google account with a child’s supervised account. It allows parents to approve or block app downloads, set screen time limits, lock SafeSearch, and manage YouTube settings — all from the parent’s phone. Setup requires installing Family Link on both the parent’s device and the child’s Android or Chromebook. For families already in the Google ecosystem, this is one of the more complete built-in options available.
Microsoft Family Safety (Windows)
For children using a Windows laptop, Microsoft Family Safety allows parents to set content filters across Edge, manage daily screen time, and block specific sites or categories of content. It works through a Microsoft family account and can be managed from the Family Safety app on a parent’s phone. Set this up alongside the Bing filter for full coverage on Windows devices.
Try This Together
After setting up the filters, sit with your child and do a quick walk-through. Search for something simple together — a school topic or a favourite animal — and explain that some results are filtered so that certain types of content do not appear. Then walk through one clear scenario: “If something unexpected appears on the screen, what do you do?” The answer you want them to have is: close the screen or put the device down, and tell a parent. Emphasise that coming to you will not get them in trouble. Children who have rehearsed that response are far more likely to use it than those who have only been told the filters are on.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Setting filters on one browser but not others. A child using both Chrome and Safari needs SafeSearch set in both. Check every browser on every device, including shared family computers.
- Not setting a parental passcode. Without a passcode on Screen Time, Family Link, or Microsoft Family Safety, a curious child can find and change the settings. Always use a passcode that is different from the device’s regular unlock code.
- Assuming SafeSearch covers YouTube. It does not. YouTube’s content filter is separate and must be configured directly in the YouTube app or through the YouTube Kids app.
- Forgetting to check settings after updates. Operating system updates occasionally reset parental control settings. It is worth checking them a couple of times a year — particularly after a major iOS, Android, or Windows update.
- Relying on filters instead of conversation. Filters are a useful layer, not a substitute for talking to your child about what the internet is, what to do when something feels wrong, and why some content exists that children should not see.
Parent Checklist
- Is Google SafeSearch set to Filter on every browser your child uses?
- Is Bing SafeSearch set to Strict on any Windows devices?
- Is YouTube Kids installed for younger children, or Restricted Mode turned on for older ones?
- Is your child signed into their account when using YouTube so Restricted Mode stays active?
- Is Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, or Microsoft Family Safety configured on each device?
- Is a parent passcode set so the controls cannot be changed without you?
- Does your child know what to do if something unexpected appears on screen?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google SafeSearch fully reliable?
No filter is fully reliable. SafeSearch is designed to reduce explicit content in Google results, but it is not perfect and only applies to Google search pages — not other websites your child navigates to afterward. It is most effective as part of a broader approach that includes device controls and open family communication.
Can my child turn SafeSearch off?
On a browser without parental controls, yes. To prevent this, use Google Family Link on Android, Apple Screen Time on iPhone or iPad, or Microsoft Family Safety on Windows to lock the setting behind a parent passcode.
Are there search engines made specifically for children?
Yes. Kiddle and KidzSearch are two examples — both use heavily filtered results designed for younger children. They can be useful as a starting point for children who are just beginning to search on their own, particularly when set as the default homepage on the child’s browser.
Does SafeSearch filter language in YouTube videos?
No. Google SafeSearch applies only to Google web search results. For YouTube content, you need Restricted Mode turned on within the YouTube app itself, or the YouTube Kids app for younger children.
These settings take a modest amount of time to put in place and hold up well with regular checks. A device with filters configured, a passcode protecting those settings, and a child who knows they can bring problems to a parent without fear — that combination is more effective than any single tool on its own.
Last reviewed: May 2026. App menus and parental control settings can change over time, so if a step looks different on your device, check the help page for Google, Apple, Microsoft, or YouTube using the exact device and app version your child uses.
For video safety, also review our guide on safe YouTube settings for kids.