How to Control Google Search on Android

Nowadays, as a parent or a guardian, you should ensure that your child is protected on social networks. Due to its size, it is possible to say that there must always be mechanics to block unnecessary or damaging content. There is no better way of doing it than limiting the activities that your child can perform using Google Search on his or her Android gadgets. To help you with the process of restricting Google search on Android and thus control the information your child has access to, let’s take a look at a number of methods.

How to Control Google Search on Android

Step 1: Use of the Google SafeSearch Option

Google’s SafeSearch is an in-built filter that can be used to remove ‘rude’ or ‘mature’ content from the results.

1. It is accessible through the Android device.
2. Click on the picture symbol in the right corner.
3. On the menu bar, click on the Settings tab.
4. Tap on SafeSearch.
5. Select Filter to constrain sexual activity and graphic violence Google search.

If you enable SafeSearch, Google will censor results to prevent any that may be deemed evil. But as a reminder, it is always wise to know that SafeSearch is imprecise, and there are cases where undesirable material gets through.

Step 2: Download the Google Family Link app

1. Download the Google Family Link app
2. If your child does not have one, create a Google Account for your child.
3. Select set up Family Link on the screen and link your child’s account with your own one.
4. After configuring, enable the Family Link app on your device.
5. Select your child’s account.
6. Touch Controls and then content restrictions.
7. In Google Play, Restrict web content, which has to be turned on.
8. Select the preferred degree (e.g., attempt to block adult material, ONLY: Kid Friendly sites Only, etc.).

Using Family Link, you can not only limit the use of Google Search but also control the applications that can be downloaded, set up time for usage, and track the child’s activity in Google services.

Step 3: Third-party applications for parental control

Though Google has built-in solutions, some users may want a more powerful and configurable parental control application, which can be found in some third-party applications.

1. Qustodio
2. Mobicip
3. Net Nanny

Below is a step-by-step guide that any Qustudio user should follow to enable Google search restrictions.

1. The Qustudio application is from the Google Play store for your Android device.
2. Access Qustudio and sign up.
3. Completing the on-screen instructions to set up the app and on the permission level granted.
4. Click on your child profile icon and then click on the Filter icon.
5. Tap on Set rules and press on Web filtering.
6. With Google search, select a category and block everyone.
7. Click on the accept button and save your settings, then exit the app.

Your restrictions will now be put into practice.

Step 4: Use a VPN that has Parental Control.

In many instances, individuals rely on VPNs to safeguard their identity and security on the World Wide Web. Nonetheless, some VPN services also have parental controls. It is possible to block specific websites and categories or to filter out some information when sending your child’s internet data through a VPN server.

Some of the recommended VPNs with family controls include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access (PIA). They often cost money but afford many filtering options and let you create your own lists of allowed and forbidden sites.

To set up a VPN with parental controls, follow these general steps:

1. Choose a VPN provider that offers parental control services.
2. Download the VPN application on the Android device.
3. Use the parental control options available for Children to set preferences
4. The child’s device is to connect with the specific VPN server.

Step 5: Using a DNS-Based Content Filtering Service

Another good method of controlling Google Search and other Web content is a DNS-based filtering service. This is because your internet traffic passes through these services’ computers, which can filter out the content that they have banned based on the categories they have defined or the ones you have set.

Two examples of DNS-based content blocking are OpenDNS and CleanBrowsing. Here is how to set them up on your child’s Android phone:

1. Specific settings of your device.
2. Right-click on your current Wi-Fi connection.
3. IP Settings is set to ‘Use the following IP address’.
4. Input the DNS server addresses of your choice (for example, OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing).
5. After that, save the changes and reconnect with the Wi-Fi network.
6. as a recommendation, modify the IP settings to utilize the Static option

Adhering to the methods mentioned above, you can minimize the impact of such functions as Google Search and protect your child from undesirable information on their Android operating system device.