KidzSearch

KidzSearch.com is a visual child-safe search engine and web portal powered by Google Programmable Search Engine with academic autocomplete that emphasizes safety for children. It uses Google's Safe Search technology with additional search term filtering for added safety. Search results are customized by pushing age-appropriate content higher up in their search results. Large thumbnails are provided to make results more visual and easier to understand for children. It has many features, and boasts an online encyclopedia with 200,000 articles[1] powered by Wikimedia.

KidzSearch
Kidzsearch.com
Type of site
Safe Search engine and Web portal for Kids
Founder(s)Dale Bock
URLkidzsearch.com
RegistrationSeparate accounts required for some services.
LaunchedApril 8, 2005

KidzSearch is used in thousands of schools each day, and is visited by some 14 million people a month.[2][3] KidzSearch was rated by Common Sense Media who compared it to Google.[3][4] Their main focus is on older elementary and middle school students. They partnered with Safe Search Kids to host their search results and wiki pages. Network security company Untangle integrated KidzSearch into their system when safe browsing is enabled[5][6]

History

The site was launched on April 8, 2005.[2] In 2015, KidzSearch went under an extensive redesign process with a mobile responsive layout. KidzNet was launched in 2017 using OSSN social networking software. KidzTalk, powered by Question2Answer, became responsive in 2015.

Services
  • KidzNet is an online moderated social media network designed for kids, where they can post anything safe except for personal information. It is powered by OSSN. All posts are reviewed before they are published. The first registered user was KupKakeDoll. The service retains a small fan base of about 1,000 users.
  • KidzTalk is an online question and answer portal for kids, powered by Question2Answer. A user types a question or comment, and another answers it. All answers are reviewed by KidzSearch staff for safety and quality. KidzTalk is generally used for homework. It currently has over 8,200 users, and a leader board showing which user has gotten the most "points" answering content. All content can be "upvoted" and users can select the "best answer" to their question.[7]
  • KidzTube contains handpicked videos. Most are educational. If a user searches for a term such as 'pooping', the service will present educational content such as facts about the digestive system, or a Minecraft video.[8][9]
  • Games - Mobile and desktop games are offered that include both educational and entertainment titles. Games are reviewed for safety and quality. Popular games include Slither.IO and Mine Clone. KidzSearch has over 57,000 free games.[10]
  • KidzArt - This is a service currently on the drawing board. It would allow users to post photos of their art. There is no release date set for KidzArt. [11]
  • Apps - KidzSearch has an app for mobile devices that provides similar services as the web version.

Other

KidzSearch selects news articles appropriate for kids that can be 'up voted' by the user. Their music service has kid-friendly music stations. KidzSearch offers a website directory of kid-friendly websites. KidzSearch also includes a website with daily facts for kids. In the KidzSearch Wiki students can research kid-friendly articles designed for their reading levels. Boolify helps users learn how to use a search engine using a graphical interface.

Criticism

KidzSearch has been criticized by Common Sense Media for packing too many ads into their search results. [4]

See also

References
  1. "Safe Wikipedia For Kids - KidzSearch Wiki". wiki.kidzsearch.com. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  2. "Advertise With KidzSearch". www.kidzsearch.com. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  3. "KidzSearch". www.kidzsearch.com. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  4. "KidzSearch.com - Website Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
  5. "Web Filter - UntangleWiki". wiki.untangle.com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  6. Untangle. "Untangle Releases NG Firewall 15.0 to Keep SMB Assets Safe from Today's Evolving Threats | Untangle". Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  7. KidzSearch.com. "KidzSearch | Kids Safe Search Engine". KidzSearch. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  8. "How Kids Can Navigate YouTube Safely". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  9. "Search Results: pooping - Page 1 | Safe Videos for Kids". www.kidzsearch.com. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  10. KidzSearch.com. "KidzSearch | Kids Safe Search Engine". KidzSearch. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  11. "View Post: KidzNet the Safe Moderated Social Network for Kids". net.kidzsearch.com. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
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