The internet offers children endless opportunities to learn and explore, but it also comes with risks. As a parent, you can set up browser protections to shield your child from inappropriate websites. In this article we go over the most important settings for safe browsing.

Why browser protection matters

Children can end up on websites that aren't suitable for their age, by accident or out of curiosity. This can include violent content, inappropriate images, fake news or websites that try to collect personal data.

Risks of unprotected browsing

  • Exposure to inappropriate or harmful content
  • Contact with strangers via chat or forums
  • Phishing and scams aimed at children
  • Malware and viruses from unsafe websites
  • Unintended purchases or subscriptions
  • Privacy violations and data collection

Making Google Chrome child-friendly

Google Chrome is one of the most widely used browsers. There are several ways to make Chrome safer for children.

Turning on SafeSearch

SafeSearch filters explicit search results out of Google. Go to google.nl/preferences and turn SafeSearch on. To prevent your child from turning it off, you can lock SafeSearch by signing in with your Google Account and clicking 'Lock SafeSearch'.

If your child uses an Android device with Family Link, the Chrome settings are managed automatically. You can choose from: allow all sites, try to block explicit sites, or only allow approved sites. You'll find this setting in Family Link under 'Filters on Google Chrome'.

Parental control extensions

There are Chrome extensions that offer extra protection. Search the Chrome Web Store for extensions such as 'BlockSite' or 'Web Filter'. These extensions can block specific websites or turn off categories such as social media or gaming sites.

Making Safari child-friendly on Mac and iPhone

Apple devices use Safari as the default browser. With Screen Time you can set up extensive restrictions.

Screen Time web content restrictions

Go to System Settings (Mac) or Settings (iPhone/iPad) and open Screen Time. Select 'Content & Privacy Restrictions' and then 'Web Content'. You have three options: unrestricted access, limit adult websites, or allowed websites only. For young children, the last option is the safest.

Adding or blocking websites manually

With the 'Limit Adult Websites' option, you can manually add websites to the list of always allowed or never allowed sites. This is handy for sites that aren't filtered automatically but that you do or don't want to allow.

Allowed websites only

The most restrictive setting only shows websites you have explicitly approved. Apple provides a starter list of child-friendly sites such as Discovery Kids and PBS Kids. You can add sites yourself by tapping 'Add Website'.

Microsoft Edge parental controls

Combined with Microsoft Family Safety, Microsoft Edge offers extensive parental control options.

Setting up Microsoft Family Safety

Go to family.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Add your child to your family group. You can now set up web filters, screen time limits and activity reports. The settings apply to every device your child is signed in on.

Web filters in Edge

In Family Safety, under 'Web filters', you can choose which websites your child is allowed to visit. You can block or allow specific sites, and you can turn on an age filter that automatically blocks inappropriate sites.

Allowing children's content only

The strictest setting in Family Safety is 'Only use allowed websites'. This lets your child visit only websites you have explicitly approved, which is ideal for young children.

Firefox browser protection

Mozilla Firefox has no built-in parental controls, but there are ways to make the browser more child-friendly.

Parental control add-ons

Firefox supports add-ons that provide parental controls. Search the Firefox Add-ons store for options such as 'FoxFilter' or 'ProCon Latte'. These add-ons can block websites based on keywords or URL lists.

DNS filtering as an alternative

An effective method for Firefox and every other browser is DNS filtering. Services such as CleanBrowsing or OpenDNS Family Shield filter out inappropriate websites at the network level. You set this up on your router, so every device in your home is protected.

DNS filtering for the whole family

DNS filtering works independently of the browser and protects every device that uses your home network.

What is DNS filtering?

DNS is the system that translates website addresses into IP addresses. A filtering DNS blocks requests to known inappropriate websites before they load. This works for every browser and every app that uses the internet.

There are several free DNS services aimed at families:

  • CleanBrowsing Family Filter: Blocks adult content, phishing and malware
  • OpenDNS Family Shield: Easy to set up, blocks inappropriate content
  • Cloudflare for Families (1.1.1.3): Blocks malware and adult content

Setting DNS on your router

Log in to your router via its IP address (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Find the DNS settings, usually under 'Internet' or 'WAN'. Replace the DNS servers with the addresses of the filtering service you chose. Once you save, every device on your network is protected.

Child-friendly search engines

Besides browser settings, you can also use child-friendly search engines.

Kiddle

Kiddle is a search engine made especially for children, powered by Google. Search results are filtered and checked by hand. The top results are written specifically for children. The design is playful and inviting.

KidRex

KidRex is another child-friendly search engine with a playful dinosaur theme. The search results are filtered to remove inappropriate content. It's a good option for young children who want to search on their own.

Safe Search Kids

Safe Search Kids uses Google's SafeSearch but adds extra filtering. The interface is simple and the results are reliably child-friendly.

Practical tips for parents

Technical solutions are important, but they're not watertight. Combine them with these practical tips.

Keep devices in sight

Let young children use the internet only in a shared space where you can look along now and then. This makes it more natural to talk about what your child does online without it feeling like surveillance.

Talk about online safety

Discuss with your child what to do if they see something scary or upsetting online. Stress that they can always come to you, even if they clicked on something wrong by accident. Make it clear that they won't get in trouble for being honest.

Teach critical thinking

Help your child look at websites critically. Explain that not everything on the internet is true and that some websites try to mislead people. This is a skill that stays useful for a lifetime.

Check regularly

Periodically review the browser history and talk with your child about what they visited. Don't do this as surveillance, but as involved parenting. Ask what your child discovered and what they found interesting.

With a combination of technical restrictions and open communication, you help your child navigate the internet safely and confidently. Start with the settings that suit your child's age and adjust them as they get older and wiser.

Frequently asked questions

Which browser is safest for children?

Safari combined with Screen Time on Apple devices and Edge with Microsoft Family Safety offer the best built-in parental controls. Chrome works well with Family Link on Android. The safest option depends on which devices your family uses.

Can my child get around the browser protection?

Older children can sometimes find ways to get around restrictions, for example via a VPN or other browsers. DNS filtering at the router level is harder to bypass. Combine technical measures with conversations about why the rules exist.

Does DNS filtering also work on mobile data?

DNS filtering on your router only works on your home network. If your child uses mobile data, the filtering doesn't apply. For full protection, combine DNS filtering with apps such as Family Link or Screen Time that also work away from Wi-Fi.

At what age can my child use the internet freely?

That depends on how mature your child is. Around age 12 to 14, many children can handle more freedom, provided you have talked about online safety. Build up the freedom gradually and keep talking about what your child comes across online.

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