|
Dear Amy: Is Google safe? — Zoe, Denver
Dear Zoe: Google lets users change their search filtering settings. By default, Google only uses moderate filtering, which still allows sites that are not kid-safe to appear in the search results. If you go to Google's preferences page at www.google.com/help/ customize.html, you can set the filter to “strict.” Using the strict filter weeds out most inappropriate material, but no filter is perfect. An easy way to use Google's SafeSearch without changing any settings is by going to www.squirrelnet.com/search/ Google_SafeSearch.asp. This page has a Google SafeSearch bar and even has links to all the topics in the Kids and Teens Google directory.
There are some things a filter can't protect against, so if you choose to use Google, be sure to use their cyber safety skills! Their search results may contain sites that are phishing scams or sites that could harm your computer. For a fun way to brush up on your cyber safety skills and learn how to spot malicious Web sites, check out Security Cartoons at www.securitycartoon.com. Happy safe searching!
Ask Amy a Question
|