<<Today we're launching a feature that lets you lock your SafeSearch setting to the Strict level of filtering. When you lock SafeSearch, two things will change. First, you'll need to enter your password to change the setting. Second, the Google search results page will be visibly different to indicate that SafeSearch is locked:>>

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/locking-safesearch.html

I would prefer to be able to set safe search silently for my young kids. As soon as they know that content is being hidden from them, it would be unreasonable not to expect them to be curious to see it.

It's like when I was a child, I guess my parents didn't take me on walks through the worst parts of town. They let me learn about the existence of those places at my own pace.

The "big balls" are counter-productive, if you ask me.

"Parent Lock". Great idea. :)

Anyone notice that these balls are different from the ones on some older Google about pages? http://www.google.com/images/art.gif

Wouldn't it be better if this was some sort of standard? So you could change a setting in your browser (or your OS or maybe even your router) so google (or whoever) knows you want to filter its content.

Something which will be send in the http request...

I'd like to permanently unlock safesearch. :)