Safe search is a kid-friendly search filter that tells the search engines to remove explicit adult results. While they may let some content through that you find objectionable, they are a very good start. If you have multiple browsers on your computer (or mobile device), you will need to set the settings on each browser and search engine separately: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc. So if you have three browsers installed on your desktop, and two browser on your phone, and two on your tablet, you need to perform 21 setting updates! Here’s how to turn on safe search in the big three search engines.
Google
On your computer or mobile device, visit http://www.google.com/preferences/. Select “Filter explicit results” and then click “Lock Safe Search.” Doing the lock will prevent someone who doesn’t have your Google account password from unlocking the filter. When Safe Search is locked, you will see a confirmation image (colorful balloons) in the upper-right hand corner when on a Google results page. For more details, see Google’s Safe Search.
Bing
On it’s settings page http://www.bing.com/account/general, Bing offers two levels of filtering. Strict filters adult text, images, and videos from results, while Moderate applies the filter to only images and video (text remains unfiltered.)
Yahoo
Like Bing, Yahoo offers two levels of filtering. Strict filters adult text, images, and videos from results, while Moderate applies the filter to only images and video (text remains unfiltered.) Like Google, Yahoo provides a Safe Search Lock. For more on Yahoo’s Safe Search offerings, see About Yahoo Safe Search.
