Kid Friendly Search Engines

I, like most my students, tend to default to using Google anytime I need to begin finding information about practically anything the mind can conceive. However, working with younger students in an elementary setting, the vast array of information a Google search generates can be both daunting and sometimes inappropriate for younger audiences. Nonetheless, with a little research, I was able to find ones I felt were worthy enough to bookmark for students to use in our school library.

Maintained by librarians, Kidsclick! is a search engine and site directory where kids can search by topic or browse by keyword(s). In addition, the site provides resources for facing issues such as bullying or death, homework helpers, and fun activities. I personally found the layout and design to be slightly primitive; however the simplicity may be part of the ease of use for younger audiences. I was impressed with the number of resources available through the broad topic searches, yet when using more specific keyword searches, the resources were limited. Grades K-3 would likely benefit most from use of this free site, no login required site.

Provided by the Family Information Network, Fact Monster is an enormous source for kids needing to search for information, get help with homework, keep up with current events or learn historical events, and even take polls or quizzes. A dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, and almanac are searchable by keyword, and all other features are categorized by topic or area of interest. I have used this site before with my students when researching topics assigned by their teachers, and many have reported using it at home for the homework helper section. Topics are appropriate for up to grade 8, and there is no site fee or login required.

Geared toward the slightly older kids in middle and high school, Sweet Search pulls information from 35,000 pre-screened resources which have been reviewed by researchers, teachers, and librarians to ensure accuracy. However, deep dives can lead students to op-eds or other articles with less credibility, which sometimes comes with the territory of a search engine for older audiences. (Thus, the skills of learning how to filter information for quality remains important for students to exercise when gathering research.) I personally felt the search results could have been more useful if there had been a one or two sentence descriptor for each result, and also felt the home page layout was a bit lackluster. Plus, when I searched the word “giraffe”, some of the results included graphic stories of a giraffe being killed at a zoo, so some content or images may be disturbing. There is no charge for the site, and no login is required.

Called the “Librarian of the Internet”, Finding Dulcinea is an online resource for middle school students providing both original site content and trustworthy, expert reviewed external links covering topics such as history, science, technology, health, and even how to conduct web research. To help students with learning how to site information, source information is provided with each article, and the content isn’t too difficult for a middle school reader to understand. Additionally, this site allows blog posts which use a language filter, and articles can be shared through social media sites. Out of the sites reviewed, this one was one of my favorites.

Powered by Google, Kid Rex is the elementary student’s version; however the results are filtered using Google SafeSearch technology using their own database of inappropriate keywords and websites help eliminate inappropriate results. In addition, there’s a page for parents with an overview of how the site works as well as a way to report sites which may have “fallen through the cracks”. The site works as easily as the “older” Google search engine, but if inappropriate terms are entered, and “Oops, try again!” message is displayed. Again, this search engine is also free of charge.

Wolfram Alpha is not a search engine, but instead a source which uses data to collect information and arrive at a specific answer to a user’s question. Each question must be phrased with quantifiable words such as “what”, “where”, “how many”, and “when” instead of “why” because the answers are based on information housed in the Wolfram Alpha database. Results can be given in the form of text, diagrams, or images which can be shared on social networking sites. Additionally, because not all questions can be answered factually, some users may become frustrated, and the language seems to be written for a more mature audience. However, when needing to find a quick answer to a question, as long as it’s found within the database, Wolfram Alpha can provide even reluctant readers with multiple formats of an answer. The service is free to use, and also includes a community forum and blog, although there is a charge for Wolfram Alpha Pro.