Search & your child's Google Account

When you use Family Link to manage your child’s Google account, they can use Google Search.

Block some inappropriate results using SafeSearch

SafeSearch can be turned on for your child in Family Link. SafeSearch helps filter explicit content results on Google, like pornography. SafeSearch isn't 100% accurate, but helps children avoid most explicit content. 

Note: If your child isn't signed in while they're using Google Search or if they're using Google Go, their SafeSearch settings won’t apply. You can use Family Link to block Google Go.

  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link.
  2. Select your child.
  3. Tap Manage Settings and then Filters on Google Search. 
  4. Turn "SafeSearch" on or off.

Note: You can also manage this setting by clicking on your child's name at families.google.com.

Turn Google Search on or off

Google app

You can turn off search in the Google app to prevent your child from using it on their Android devices.

Note: Even if you turn off search, your child can still search using browsers like Chrome or Firefox. If you want, you can block these apps on your child's Android device.

Family Link app

  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link.
  2. Select your child.
  3. Tap Manage settings and then Android apps. 
  4. Under "Allowed," tap Google.
  5. Turn "Search" on or off.

Family Link on the web

  1. Go to Family Link on the web.
  2. Select your child.
  3. Click Android apps.
  4. In the "Required" section, turn Search on or off.

Google.com

To prevent your child from searching Google.com on their Android device or Chromebook, you can block the site in Chrome.

Google Assistant 

To prevent your child from using the Google Assistant in the Google app on their Android devices:
  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link.
  2. Select your child.
  3. On the "Settings" card, tap Manage settings and then More and then Manage Google activity and then  Only parents. 
  4. Tap Manage activity controls and then Voice & Audio Activity. 
  5. Pause "Voice & Audio Activity."

Manage your child's search & browsing activity

If Web & App Activity is turned on, and your child is signed in to their Google account:

  • Your child's searches and browsing history are saved to their Google Account

  • Your child's search results are personalized based on their past activity
Turn Web & App Activity on or off
  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link.
  2. Select your child.
  3. Tap Manage settings and then More and then Manage Google activity and then Manage activity controls and then Web & App Activity.
  4. Tap On or Paused.

Note: You can also manage this setting by clicking on your child's name at families.google.com.

See or delete your child's search & browsing history

Note: If you added supervision to your child’s previously existing Google Account, you’ll need their help to do this.

  1. On your child's device, visit the My Activity page. You child may need to sign in with their Google Account.
  2. In the top right, tap More More and then Select.
  3. Check the boxes next to any activity you want to delete.
  4. At the top of the page, tap Delete Delete and then Ok.

Troubleshoot problems

My child saw inappropriate content in search results

First, use the instructions above to make sure SafeSearch is on.

Then, report the content to Google. If your child is using an Android device, follow the instructions for sites or images below. Otherwise, learn how to report inappropriate content on other devices.

Sites

If your child visited a site with inappropriate content, report the content to Google.

Images

  1. Tap the image to see more options.
  2. Below the image, tap More More and then Send feedback.
My child sees ads in their search results

Your child may see ads when they use Google Search. Learn more about how ads work with your child's Google Account.

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