How to... set up Google SafeSearch™

Start typing a keyword in the search box and click ‘Search’. The gear icon will appear on the right of the page. Click on the gear icon, then click on ‘Search settings’ in the drop down menu. Alternatively, you can go to www.google.com/preferences to access Google SafeSearchTM.

On the ‘Search Settings’ page choose the level of filter you would like activated on your family’s computer. ‘Strict filtering’ filters both explicit text and explicit images whilst ‘Moderate filtering’ filters explicit images only (NB: Moderate is the default filter setting on GoogleTM).

If you have a GoogleTM account you can lock SafeSearchTM on your family’s computer so that ‘strict filtering’ is always in place and no-one except you can change the settings. If you’re not already signed in to your GoogleTM account, you’ll be asked to sign in. Once you’re signed in, click on ‘Lock SafeSearch’. It might take a moment for the filters to be applied to all GoogleTM domains, then you’ll see a confirmation page once the lock is engaged. If you have more than one browser on your computer or if your family computer has more than one user profile, you’ll need to set the lock on each one. When SafeSearchTM is locked in place, you’ll see a set of coloured balls at the top of all search pages. If the coloured balls aren’t there, SafeSearchTM is no longer locked. Please note: GoogleTM does its best to keep SafeSearchTM as up-to-date and comprehensive as possible, but inappropriate sites do sometimes get through. If you have SafeSearchTM activated on your computer and still find offensive content in your results, visit Google’s Web page removal request page to let them know about the site or image you found.