Kiddle
Kid-friendly search with suitable results, some exceptions.
Kiddle
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this website.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Kiddle is a search engine that's designed to provide safe search results for kids. The site is designed to block profanity and other questionable words from search results. But some violent content can still be found depending on the search results, such as those on TV shows or hunters. Alcohol- or drug-related searches provide factual results that don't endorse or promote use or abuse. Some search results may lead to sales-based sites and may also feature search-based ads on results pages. Parents should also know that if they come across any questionable websites, they can submit a request to have Kiddle block them. Users can also request certain keywords be banned.
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What’s It About?
KIDDLE is designed to be a safe search engine for kids and is supposed to be free from controversial or mature subjects. Results come from Google Safe Search, which the site says will filter out explicit or deceptive content. In search results, the first few websites listed are ones written for kids, which Kiddle editors have approved. The next few are sites that weren't created for kids but are easy to understand and safe. The remaining results are more complex sites that have made it through Google's filters. Kids can also narrow searches to specifically find news items, images, or videos.
Is It Any Good?
Some users may assume this website is from Google, since Google Safe Search is prominently mentioned, its privacy policy says the site is powered by Google custom search -- and its logo echoes Google's logo colors. But Google's published list of products doesn't include Kiddle; and several sources, including BBC News and CBC News, have said there's no affiliation. The site does a decent job of preventing sites containing nudity, swearing, and gratuitous violence from appearing in search results. Some harsh images can get through, though, such as photos from true-crime TV shows.
In addition, Kiddle's list of blocked terms has caused some controversy in the past year. The site reportedly prevented searches using terms such as "gay" and "transgender," although it seems to have lifted the ban, as entering those terms now provides news article and other results. Possibly because the site lists the most kid-friendly links first, search results aren't always too focused; entering kittens, for example, turns up a kitten fact page, kitten video awards, a painting activity, and a poem. As with many search engines, entering longer, more specific terms can help you find more precise content -- or, for a more targeted search, you may just want to help your child use Google and supervise the process.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the benefits of having search engines and websites designed just for kids. How can kids tell which sites are safe to use?
Discuss the difference between a reliable source and an unsubstantiated one. How can kids determine whether a source is legit when looking up information?
Kids may come across sites with crime-related or other potentially disturbing photos. Discuss how seeing images that involve violence makes them feel -- and how to report ones you feel are inappropriate to site administrators.
Website Details
- Subjects: Language & Reading: reading, using supporting evidence
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: asking questions, collecting data, investigation, Self-Direction: academic development, personal growth, Tech Skills: evaluating media messages
- Genre: Browsing and Searching
- Pricing structure: Free
- Last updated: March 7, 2020
For kids who love information
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