How children can accidentally reveal too much personal information online, and practical steps to help them protect their privacy.
Children often share personal details online without realising the potential consequences. Information such as their full name, school, location, daily routines, and family details can be pieced together by anyone viewing their profiles. Oversharing creates opportunities for identity theft, grooming, and real-world safety risks.
Children may reveal personal information through social media bios, public posts, geotagged photos, or casual conversations in games and group chats. Even seemingly harmless details — a school uniform in a selfie, a check-in at a local venue — can help someone build a detailed picture of a child's life and whereabouts.
1. Review privacy settings together
Sit with your child and go through the privacy settings on every app and platform they use. Set profiles to private and disable location tagging on photos.
2. Teach the 'billboard test'
Ask your child: 'Would you be happy if this was displayed on a billboard outside your school?' If not, it probably should not be posted online.
3. Agree on what is never shared online
Create a simple list of information that is always kept private: home address, phone number, school name, daily routines, and holiday plans.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-19