Net Nanny by LookSmart

Powered by LookSmart, Checked by Net Nanny

Safe Search Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who Is LookSmart?
Why have you created a search site?
How safe is “Safe Search?"
How safe is the Kids Directory?
How do I keep my kids safe on the Internet?
What if I see something inappropriate?
I’ve just installed Net Nanny. Why am I seeing your home page when I open my browser?
I’ve just installed the free Net Nanny Toolbar. Why am I seeing your home page when I open my browser?
How do I report a problem?
What is Net Nanny's (LookSmart’s) privacy policy?
What are the different types of search results that I see on search pages?
How can I link to your site?

Q. Who Is LookSmart?

A. LookSmart is the parent company for Net Nanny. LookSmart is a leader in commercial search services and a developer of innovative web search solutions. Combining award-winning technology, editorial expertise, and community-based initiatives, LookSmart provides users with highly relevant search results. LookSmart results reach Internet users worldwide through top portals, ISPs, and search services including Lycos, InfoSpace, CNET, LookSmart.com, and now NetNanny.com.

Q. Why have you created a search site?

A. The best way to protect children from the inappropriate content on the Internet is to start from the source. Most content is found through searches on the popular search engine sites. At Net Nanny’s family safe search site, the screen process starts at the source. LookSmart has always been a Family Friendly search engine and with the power of Net Nanny, we have created the best Family Search site available on the Internet.

Search is so important for two reasons:

Search is how people find illicit material AND it is how illicit material finds people. We all know that an adult or child looking for illicit material most likely starts with a search engine, clicking on links until they find what they want. But it is probably less well known that some porn sites do everything they can to advertise or "spam" their way into legitimate search results... so a child who does a search on some search engines for "Britney Spears" often doesn't just find fan sites... sometimes they find inappropriate sites masquerading as legitimate sites.

Search engines are incredibly powerful systems -- hundreds or thousands of computers working together to process data on hundreds of millions or billions of sites. And because of that, search engines have a great deal of data about a site and more technology at their disposal to determine if a site contains illicit material. So using a safe-search engine which has applied this technology up-front to remove the inappropriate sites (whether they're masquerading as legitimate sites or not), makes Net Nanny a lot more successful at protecting your children.

Q. How safe is “Safe Search”?

A. Safe Search applies the same technology that runs Net Nanny to web searches through LookSmart’s WiseNut search engine. This eliminates much of the unwanted content that will result from searches on other search engines. With the added protection of running Net Nanny software, you can achieve the highest levels of safety. For younger children, we have the “Kids Directory” for 100% kid friendly website. With over 20,000 sites, kids are assured a safe surfing environment.

Q. How safe is the Kids Directory?

A. The Kids Directory is a listing of over 20,000 kid friendly websites that were hand picked and vetted for quality. We feel that this directory is as close to 100% safe as possible. It provides an excellent environment for younger children. However, the Internet is an ever-changing environment. For maximum protection, we strongly recommend using the Net Nanny software in conjunction with family safe searching. More information on the Net Nanny software can be found here.

Q. How do I keep my kids safe on the Internet?

A. Keeping your children safe on the Internet is a challenge for today’s parents. There are several well-recognized actions you will need to take. We have created a few web pages with information and sources that will help you learn how to keep your kids safe. You can link to those pages here: Net Nanny Learning Center. You’ve already taken the first step and we encourage you take more. We also encourage you to buy and install our Net Nanny Software and have it running at all times.

Q. What if I see something inappropriate?

A. We absolutely need to know as soon as you think you see something inappropriate. We ask that you provide us with the site information using this form: http://www.netnanny.com/company/suggest_a_site.html. This will alert us to which pages may be inappropriate so we can take corrective action. If you are running Net Nanny software (and we recommend that you do), you may add this site by: Opening Net Nanny Settings (right click the Net Nanny Icon in your system tray as shown below)

Select System settings, highlight web sites, and click on the “My restricted Lists”. Add the URL of the offending website. This will ensure that further access will not be possible.

Q. I’ve just installed Net Nanny. Why am I seeing your home page when I open my browser?

A. When you installed Net Nanny, you would have been asked to change your home page to this Family Safe search site. Using Internet Explorer, your page can be changed by going to the “Tools” menu (above) and selecting “Internet Options” and entering in the page of your choosing.

Q. I’ve just installed the free Net Nanny Toolbar. Why am I seeing your home page when I open my browser?

A. When you installed the Net Nanny Toolbar, you would have been asked to change your home page to this Family Safe search site. Using Internet Explorer, your page can be changed by going to the “Tools” menu (above) and selecting “Internet Options” and entering in the page of your choosing.

Q. How do I report a problem?

A. We appreciate any and all feedback you can provide to us. We ask that you use our feedback form located here: http://www.netnanny.com/company/suggest_a_site.html to let us know what the problem is.

Q. What is Net Nanny's (LookSmart’s) privacy policy?

A. Net Nanny respects and protects the privacy of the individuals that use the Net Nanny Toolbar. For full information, we encourage you to read the LookSmart privacy policy.

Q. What are the different types of search results that I see on search pages?

A. LookSmart provides a variety of different types of results:

Results from our Kids Directory are listings that have been evaluated by LookSmart editors. The Results from our Directory section of search results includes Web sites selected by our professional editorial team and noncommercial sites contributed by Zeal community members. All listings are held to the same quality standards. Listings appear and are ranked in this section based solely on their relevance to a user's search as determined by LookSmart's proprietary search algorithm.
Results from the Web are listings provided by LookSmart's world-class, proprietary search technology, WiseNut. This section of results contains Web sites that have been crawled and indexed by the WiseNut search engine and may also contain some sites that have been evaluated by LookSmart editors. These results may include some paid listings. Listings in this section are ranked solely based on relevance as determined by WiseNut's search algorithm.
Results from our Sponsors are paid listings from our advertising customers. Up to four listings may appear in the Results from our Sponsors section at the top of search results pages. Listings appear and are ranked in this section based on an algorithm that factors in relevance, user popularity, and advertiser payment.

Q. How can I link to your site?

A. We would be delighted if you wanted to link to our Safe Search site. You can copy and paste the following link onto your web page: Safe Search