Securly Now Blocks Google AI Overviews for K-12 Schools
Securly has extended its "Restrict AI Mode" setting in Securly Filter so that it now blocks Google's AI Overview in addition to AI Mode. With the setting on, students see standard Google search results without AI-generated summaries, according to the company.
- Securly Filter's "Restrict AI Mode" setting now blocks Google's AI Overview as well as AI Mode.
- With the setting on, students get standard Google results without AI-generated summaries.
- Images, Videos and News stay available, and SafeSearch settings are unaffected.
- Administrators can toggle the setting per policy in the Filter Policy Editor, for example by grade level.
- Securly says AI Transparency gave 1,806 districts in 39 states visibility into more than 6.2 million student AI conversations between December 2025 and October 2026.
What the update changes
Securly, which describes itself as a K-12 student digital safety and wellness company, said the "Restrict AI Mode" setting already blocked Google's AI Mode. It now also covers AI Overview. The company announced the change on Nov. 4, 2026.
Google shows AI-generated content in two places, according to Securly. AI Mode is a chat-style search experience. AI Overview is a summary that appears automatically at the top of results on the All tab.
That difference matters for schools. Because AI Overview appears on ordinary searches, students in schools that block AI tools could still see AI-generated answers, Securly said.
How the setting works
When Restrict AI Mode is on, Securly Filter hides and/or redirects students away from AI Mode and AI Overview, depending on the filtering method. Other Google search options such as Images, Videos and News remain available, and SafeSearch settings are unaffected.
Administrators can switch the setting on or off per policy in the Filter Policy Editor. A district could keep Google's AI features off for younger students while allowing them for an older class, and change that decision as its AI guidance develops.
Spence Mallder, Securly's Chief Technology Officer, framed the update as a question of who is in control. "A search engine shouldn't decide when AI shows up in front of students; districts should," he said. He added that districts wanting to restrict AI have had to "take time away from serving students to find solutions to block this feature" since Google introduced AI summaries.
Visibility into allowed AI tools
For AI tools that districts choose to permit, Securly points to its AI Transparency product. It gives leaders visibility into student AI use across platforms such as Gemini, ChatGPT and other ed-tech AI tools. Administrators can view usage by school, grade or classroom, set guardrails on AI conversations, and flag concerning conversations for review.
According to Securly, between December 2025 and October 2026 AI Transparency gave 1,806 districts in 39 states visibility into more than 6.2 million student AI conversations.
What it means for schools
For districts that have already decided to block AI tools, the update closes a gap: a ban on AI tools no longer leaves AI Overview summaries appearing in routine Google searches. For districts moving toward allowing AI, the per-policy control lets them open access for specific classes rather than all students at once.
Securly says it serves over 20 million students across 27,000 schools, and that its products meet FERPA and COPPA requirements and are SOC 2 certified.
PR Newswire: Securly Blocks Google AI Mode and AI Overviews For K-12 Schools
