You must have read a Kiddle search engine review, or probably not. Either way, this review is a must-read.
The content we watch, read, and see online shapes us. Words we hear others speak do the same. They can form our thoughts and influence our actions largely.
As adults, we can decide how we use the information from the content we consume only. Unfortunately, kids may struggle to make such a difficult decision.
We need to protect our kids from consuming content meant for adults. Most of these materials corrupt the minds of our kids. That’s why search engines like Kiddle have been gaining traction.
Kiddle serves as a visual search engine for youngsters. That is what the developers claim. However, there have been several questions raised about the platform’s modus operandi and legitimacy in the last couple of years.
So, here’s a detailed review of the Kiddle search engine. You’ll find answers to every question you have about the platform here. Read on!
What Is Kiddle Search Engine About?
Kiddle is a visual search engine designed to deliver age-appropriate search results to kids. Designed to eliminate the internet nastiness from search results, Kiddle functions like Google. But unlike Google, Kiddle comes designed for kids.
Kiddle’s tagline is that it delivers only child-friendly content, meaning it’s safe for kids. It wants parents and educators to feel at ease when youngsters use its search engine.
Kiddle is not the only search engine that claims to deliver Kid-friendly content. Kidrex also does the same. However, Kiddle has been quite popular over the years.
Kiddle Search Engine Launch
Reports have it that the Kiddle domain’s registration took place in 2014. However, the search engine became popular in 2016 and has been so since then.
Kiddle became so popular to the point where it became a meme due to blocking on some keywords for a while. The domain matches with the developers’ agenda to design a kid-friendly search engine.
The developers aimed to design a search engine that allows kids to learn and grow without constant surveillance from parents and educators. The concept behind the search engine’s establishment shows the people behind it understand the negative impact exposing kids to nasty content can have on them.
Does Google Own Kiddle?
There have been speculations that Google owned Kiddle. The reason for the speculation was that Kiddle uses Google’s software.
Kiddle functions like Google. It delivers search results like Google, though it’s more visual. The visual results make it a breeze for kids to use. It makes it easier for users to navigate from one search result to another.
Kiddle also has the same content and resources as Google. The search interface is similar to Google’s – basic web, videos, images, and news. However, it uses safe search to filter out nasty content from search results and only displays kid-friendly content.
So, Google isn’t the owner of Kiddle. Kiddle depends on Google for its content. That’s the relationship between both search engines.
Who Is The Owner of Kiddle?
There have been many speculations regarding the owner of Kiddle. While some claim Google-owned Kiddle, others argue otherwise.
The issue of Google being the owner of Kiddle seemingly ended with an article published on BBC. It was stated that one of the early testers of the search engine blogged about the owner of the platform. According to BBC, the blogger named the founder of a site called “Freaking News” as the owner of Kiddle.
Freaking News’ owner is a Russian. That means a Russian probably owns Kiddle. However, there is no evidence to prove that a Russian owns a kid-friendly search engine other than mere texts written by a blogger.
The claim that a Russian owns Kiddle might be true or false. However, we can’t verify if it’s true or false. Additionally, the name of Kiddle’s owner isn’t on the parent company’s site, which is enough reason to have some suspicion.
How Does Kiddle Control The Content Kids Can Access?
Helping parents control the content kids watch or read online is Kiddle’s main priority. That was why the search engine was available in the first place. But the question is, how does this acclaimed kid-friendly search engine operate?
Here’s how Kiddle operates.
Kiddle is a web search engine and online encyclopedia. Google’s search engine powers it, and it utilizes SafeSearch with additional filters.
The search engine blocks kids from accessing content meant for adults. It has blocked a long list of keywords considered unsafe for kids. An error message pops up when kids enter a censored term in the search box.
For example, Kiddle censored the word “Sex Education.” The reason is that most of the illustrations on sites hosting such materials aren’t kid-friendly.
So, if you’re a parent, you won’t feel worried when your child uses Kiddle. Immediately, a child tries to look up inappropriate search terms on the platform; an error message pops up.
Do Kids Like Kiddle Search Engine?
Kiddle is highly visual, making it easier for kids to navigate. Kids love viewing visual materials, as they captivate and keep them hooked to the page. However, Kiddle isn’t only heavily visual but highly censored.
While kids 8-12 years older may find the Kiddle search engine valuable, teens who are 13 -17 years older may have a contrary view. Most teens enjoy watching video content. Many would jump at any opportunity to visit YouTube and consume content on the platform.
Unfortunately, Kiddle doesn’t allow kids to visit YouTube. When you try to look up YouTube, the error message “Oops try again” pops up.
Is Kiddle Safe For Kids?
The brain behind Kiddle is to make online searches safe for kids. It offers kids the opportunity to conduct online searches but in a safer way. So, it’s like Google, but a kid-friendly version.
The search engine tries to protect kids, but keep in mind that it’s not 100% safe. Kids can encounter violent content on the site, depending on the search results. These include content like the ones on TV shows and hunters.
Is there a need for parents to be worried? The people behind Kiddle have done a great job of providing a search engine that allows kids to surf the internet safely. The platform even provided a form for people to suggest keywords for blocking.
You can suggest keywords you want the platform to censor, and they will implement it. So, the platform’s attempt to deliver a safe search for kids is commendable.
Kiddle’s engine recommends safe websites and pages written specifically for youngsters. Another impressive thing about the Kiddle is that its editors handpick and check the sites featured in the first three search results.
The final results after Kiddle editors vetted the first three results are equally safe. They include safe and trusted websites, which aren’t actually for youngsters but whose content is simple and easy for children to grasp.
The final search results that the search engine displays are content written for adults, containing expert-level information and tips. However, the content is harder for children to grasp.
Here is how it presents its search results:
- The first 1-3 search results. These include websites and web pages considered highly safe and secure for kids. They are content primarily written for youngsters. Kiddle publishers have also verified them.
- Second search results 4 –7. Although websites in this category are safe and reliable, they aren’t actually written for kids.
- Search engine results 8+. These results are for kids aged 8 and above. Here, you’ll find expert content written for adults and more complex for kids to grasp. Google SafeSearch filters them.
The Kiddle Search Engine Controversies
Kiddle has been involved in some controversies with the LGBT community. Terms like Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender don’t yield results because Kiddle censors them.
The reason the search engine doesn’t show results is that it can’t guarantee the safety of kids.
Members of the LGBT community weren’t happy with Kiddle’s decision to censor LGBT-related terms. Speaking to BBC, some members of the LGBT community claimed censoring LGBT terms will deprive young people of constantly using the search engine to find information related to LGBT.
The concerned LGBT members claim stopping young people from finding age-appropriate content on LGBT will force many of them, who are lesbians, gays, and trans, to seek the information elsewhere. And when they do, it can take them down inappropriate avenues, which might be of greater risk.
The LGBT community wants Kiddle to rethink its censorship of LGBT information and advice. They claim it’s the right thing to do.
How did Kiddle handle the controversies on censorship of LGBT content?
When contacted, Kiddle told the BBC that they didn’t act on their own. They claim they were responding to complaints from parents and teachers.
According to Kiddle, some of the LGBT websites have forums and user-generated content. They even claim they have encountered the image of a half-naked man uploaded as an avatar on one of the LGBT sites.
What makes it even more concerning for Kiddle following the discovery of the half-naked man’s avatar is that they found the picture after the website was vetted. That was kid-inappropriate content, which defeats Kiddle’s aim.
The LGBT isn’t the only term Kiddle is censoring on the platform. It has also blocked terms like “sex education.” They claim that the illustrations on most sites that produce such materials may be inappropriate for kids.
Kiddle wants the platform to be as safe as possible for kids. That’s why their search results are either filtered by Google Safe Search or handpicked and thoroughly checked by editors.
If a certain search query contains bad words, Kiddle has a guard robot on standby to deal with the issue. The guard robot blocks the search, preventing kids from accessing such inappropriate content.
Has Kiddle Had A Privacy Concern?
The first thing people must understand about Kiddle and similar search engines is that they depend on Google. So, if you’re trying to avoid Google’s products, Kiddle isn’t the right option for you.
Google handles the heavy technical lifting of engines like Kiddle. However, the interesting thing about this search engine is that it uses two strategies to deliver age-appropriate content.
Kiddle sieves through millions of results to deliver age-appropriate content. It uses Google Safe Search and manual editors to vet content that appears in the search results.
There hasn’t been any issue raised regarding Kiddle’s security. Like the Google search engine, users don’t have to register to use Kiddle.
When you read Kiddle’s privacy policy document, you’ll discover that the search engine collects users’ personal information. It also states that it purges its server logs every 24 hours.
Final Verdict:
After reading this Kiddle search engine review, you’ll agree that the platform is a welcome development in our society. The internet harbors diverse content, some of which are inappropriate for kids.
Allowing kids to consume inappropriate content can be disastrous. It will pollute their minds and focus. So, Kiddle meets the family and teacher requirements for providing age-appropriate search results for kids.
The search engine prevents kids from being exposed to harmful content online. Additionally, it’s highly visual and a breeze to navigate. Kiddle also uses a large font, which makes it easier for kids to read without straining their eyes.
Kiddle is safe for kids and hasn’t had any privacy issues. The search engine even made it clear that it doesn’t store user personal information and deletes its server logs every 24 hours.
Ranking high in the Kiddle search engine will be an excellent opportunity for businesses whose target audiences are kids to increase online popularity. Increasing the ranking in Kiddle’s search engine result pages means potential clients can find and patronize you.
Parents may want to use the Kiddle search engine to find products for their kids. This presents a great opportunity for businesses to generate more revenue and build a strong brand identity.
