SafeSearch – Managing Settings
You don’t need to be signed into Google to turn on SafeSearch.
- Open a Google Search page.
- Click on Settings. It will be in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Select Search Settings
- Check the Filter Explicit Results box.
- Click Save at the bottom of the page.
You are done. SafeSearch will remain in effect as long as cookies are enabled on your computer. If cookies are deleted your SafeSearch settings may be reset.
Locking SafeSearch – Browser
If you sign into Google, you can lock SafeSearch.
In order to do this, you need to enable third-party cookies on your browser:
Safari
- Open Safari.
- Go to Safari in the Menu Bar and choose Preferences.
- Select the Privacy tab.
- Under the setting Block cookies and other website data, click Never.
- Close the Preferences window.
Chrome
- Open Chrome.
- Go to Chrome in the Menu Bar and choose Preferences.
- Scroll to the bottom and click Show Advanced Settings…
- Scroll to the Privacy area and click the button Content Settings…
- Under Cookies choose Allow local data to be set (recommended)
- Close the Preferences window.
Firefox
- Open Firefox.
- Go to Firefox in the Menu Bar and choose Preferences.
- Select the Privacy tab.
- In the History setting, choose Remember History.
Locking SafeSearch – Google
- Sign in to Google.
- Click on Settings. It will be in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Select Search Settings
- Check the Filter Explicit Results box.
- Click Lock SafeSearch.
- Obey the prompt to re-input your Google password.
- A widow appears with a button to Lock SafeSearch.
- Click the button and the locking process begins.
- When it is finished you will get a message stating “SafeSearch is locked across all Google Domains”
- On all Google search pages, a graphic of colored balls appears in the top-right corner to show SafeSearch is locked.
- Once this process is finished, it is advisable to go back into your browser’s preferences and set it to Block cookies and other website data from third-parties and advertisers.
SafeSearch and SafeSearch Lock must be turned on individually for every browser on your computer. It only takes a few minutes, so don’t stress about it.
To UnLock SafeSearch:
- Sign in to Google.
- Click on the Settings icon. It will be in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Select Search Settings.
- Click the Unlock SafeSearch button.
- Enter your password. SafeSearch is unlocked.
As an adult, you should check and see if SafeSearch is on.
If you don’t need it on, turn it off. SafeSearch filtering is heavy and you will miss a great many search results that you might find useful.
Again, this kind of filtering is being done by computers so it is not foolproof.
I’m not a parent, but if I was, I would say the first level of filtering should be a conversation with your child about the internet, chat rooms, etc,., In the digital age, it’s the new “Don’t talk to strangers” speech.
You can find out more about SafeSearch on Google’s Support Page.
Have a safe week 🙂
Live in Los Angeles County and need Mac, iPad. or iPhone help, training, support, service, repair, or just want some questions answered…
Call me at 310-621-5679. I come direct to you. That’s as stress-free as it gets.
