How to get Google to remove image search results of minors

Exerting any amount of control over the internet seems impossible, but Google has finally thrown a lifeline to frustrated families.

On Wednesday, Google announced that minors (or their parents or guardians) can request that their pictures be removed from image searches. Google announced that it would do this in August, but now there's a way to actually get it done.

Companies or scammers may scrape social media accounts and then re-purpose those pictures to create fake online identities, or for other unauthorized uses.

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen recently asserted that Instagram knowingly jeopardizes the mental health of young women. That’s led to Congressional hearings on whether Facebook, Google-owned YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok are doing enough to protect the children who use their services.

Google notes that it doesn't control the websites where the actual images are hosted, which makes removing an image from search results different from removing it from the internet altogether.

If you're a minor, the legal parent or guardian of a minor, or an "authorized representative," here's how you can request image takedowns of minors in search results from Google.

1. Identify the URL of the image — not the URL of the website.

2. Identify the URL of the Search results page — that's the Google URL.

3. Identify the Search terms you know that will deliver the image as a result.

4. Press the "Start Removal Request" button on this Google help page.

5. Fill out the form. After you answer the question, "Have you contacted the site's website owner?," it will ask what you want to remove. Select the option, "Imagery of an individual currently under the age of 18."

6. A new multiple choice question about the images will appear asking whether "the imagery of the individual currently under 18 is" explicit or non-explicit. Select the appropriate option.

7. Google will generate a new form. This is where you'll fill out all the details, including your identification and contact info, and the URLs mentioned above. You'll also have the opportunity to upload a screenshot. Complete the form, sign it, and press submit.

8. Be on the lookout for communications from Google via email, as they could request more information.