Learn About Searching Online
Tamariki are likely to use search engines multiple times a day for school, curiosity, games or just fun. How they search and what they click shapes what they see and learn.
In a nutshell
Searching the web means typing words or phrases into a search engine (like Google, Edge or Safari) to find websites, images, videos or answers.
Tamariki and rangatahi are likely to search online for homework, hobbies, discovering new music, checking facts or exploring ideas.
Because the web is global and automatic, sometimes what pops up isn’t always trustworthy or intended, which makes awareness about the risks of online searching important.
5-minute whānau safety check
- We’ve tried a search together and discussed why certain links were chosen
- We’ve turned on a safer search filter (e.g. Google SafeSearch)
- We’ve checked browser settings for privacy and history controls
- We’ve talked about how to spot unreliable websites
- My child knows they can come to me if a search result is confusing, weird or upsetting
What to expect
When your child is searching online, you might see:
- Frequent shortcuts and auto-complete suggestions in the search bar taking them in another direction
- Clicking on ads, sponsored content or first links without reading the description
- Visiting multiple tabs or bouncing between pages
- Mismatched content, landing on something very different from what they searched for.
If your child seems uncomfortable with what appears, keeps closing tabs, or avoids telling you which site they visited, it might be a signal for you to step in and explore together.
What's the up-side?
How can searching online help your child?
Quick answers and independence
It gives fast access to answers when they want to solve things themselves, for example helping with research for homework, looking for a recipe or learning a new hack.
Exploring interests & curiosity
Online search connects them to new worlds such as music, coding or animation - based on what they like.
Learning and critical thinking
Good searches help them learn how to evaluate information, which is a crucial life skills.
Empowerment and self-direction
Being able to find what they need online gives agency and confidence.
Search lets me dive deeper into what I like from music genres to skateboard tricks
Youth Participant
No Single Online Experience – Youth Roadshow Report 2025
What's the flip-side?
Common challenges when searching online
Misleading or false information
Search results may show articles, blogs or sites with misleading claims.
Inappropriate content
Some words or queries might lead to images or pages not safe for tamariki.
Sponsored results
Many search engines show ads at the top sometimes disguised as real results.
Clickbait or dangerous links
Some links promise something sensational but lead to spam, scams or malware.
Privacy and tracking
Search engines collect data which can feed algorithms or ads.
Misplaced confidence
Rangatahi may place too much trust in search results, assuming what appears first is best or correct.
Safety Check
Use the settings
- Enable SafeSearch (or equivalent) on the device browser to help filter search results for young users
- Change default search engine to a privacy-forward one (if preferred) like DuckDuckGo
- Disable or limit ad personalisation or tracking settings where possible
- Clear history and cache regularly or teach “private” browsing for sensitive topics
- Use browser extensions or tools that flag untrusted sites or block pop-ups
Teach critical thinking
Do a “two-source check” together: pick a claim and search for it again on trusted sites, and build healthy scepticism by asking about the content and considering “Does this look biased?” or “Who wrote this?” before clicking.
Spot sponsored content
Look for ‘sponsored’ or ‘ad’ in the headline and get in the habit of scrolling past the first few results. Try comparing the results with those from another search engine.
Top Tips
Click on each block to learn more about how you can support your whānau to find balance with screentime and screen use.
Let your child or young person know they can always come to you if they see something 'yucky' online.
- “What did you search for today?”
- “How did you pick which result to click?”
- "Has anything come up that didn't match what you were looking for?"
- "What would you do if you saw something that made you feel a bit yucky?"
Bring them into the task when you search for something at home, like a recipe, kiwi history or a fix-it guide, and narrate your thinking process aloud.
Let them watch how you evaluate results.
Pick a fun topic (for example “cool Kiwi animals”) and search side by side.
Compare result pages, click the links, talk about how you judge which source to trust or believe.
Try fact-checking one claim or image together, or comparing two or three results and talking about the differences in the content.
Create shared expectations for searching online
- Agree on when to do shared searches (homework, curiosity)
- Model your own search behaviour (checking sources, closing bad sites)
- Review and refresh settings together occasionally
Need help right now?
If you would like any advice or support about keeping your whānau safe online Netsafe can help.
Contact the helpline for free, confidential and non-judgemental advice and support.
