Privacy and personal information online
Introduction
Why more vulnerable
Benefits for young people
Online risks
Financial scams
Harmful or inappropriate content
Online grooming
Cyberbullying
Online privacy
Impulsivity online
Talking about safety
Online boundaries
Safe social media use
Critical thinking skills
If things go wrong
Independence and safety
Key messages
Online safety resources
Understanding privacy is a key part of online safety.
Many young people do not fully understand what counts as personal information or how it can be misused.
Examples of personal information include:
- full name
- school or college name
- home location
- daily routines
- phone number or email
- photographs and videos
Oversharing information online can increase risks such as identity theft, scams or stalking.
Another important concept is the digital footprint. This refers to the long-term record of information, images and comments that exist online.
Helping young people understand that online actions can have lasting consequences can support safer decision-making.
