Teaching children about private and personal information online starts with one simple message: not everything is for sharing.
Many children aged 5–10 use games, videos, apps, tablets, shared devices, and child-friendly websites long before they fully understand what personal information is. They may click quickly, answer questions without thinking, or share details because something online seems friendly, fun, or familiar.
That is why children need calm, repeated guidance about what should stay private and what they should always check with a trusted adult before sharing.
Why private and personal information online matters
Children often do not realise that small details can still matter online.
They may think sharing a first name, school, photo, age, location, birthday, or gaming username is harmless, especially if a game or app asks for it in a casual way.
But private and personal information online can be used in ways children do not understand.
This is why adults need to teach children that online safety is not only about strangers or scary messages. It is also about knowing which details are safe to keep private.
Helpful examples of personal information include:
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full name
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home address
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school name
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phone number
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email address
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birthday
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passwords
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photos
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live location
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names of family members
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regular places they go
Children do not need to memorise long definitions. They need clear examples they can recognise.
Start with the difference between public and private
One of the easiest ways to explain private and personal information online is to teach the difference between public and private.
You might say:
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“Some things are fine to share with family.”
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“Some things are only for trusted adults.”
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“Some things should never be shared online without checking first.”
For children aged 5–10, a simple rule often works best:
If it tells people who you are, where you are, or how to contact you, stop and check with a grown-up.
That gives children a clear safety pause.
It also helps them understand that online sharing should not be automatic.
Teach children what should never be shared without checking
Children benefit from hearing the same safety rules more than once.
When talking about private and personal information online, make sure children know they should not share these things without checking with a trusted adult:
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their full name
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their address
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their school
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their phone number
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their passwords
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photos of themselves
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videos of themselves
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live location
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family details
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anything that helps someone find them in real life
It also helps to explain that even something that seems small can become unsafe when added to other details.
For example, a first name, school jumper in a photo, and a local park in the background may reveal more than a child realises.
Explain why games, apps, and websites ask questions
Children often trust online spaces that look colourful, fun, or familiar.
That is why adults should explain that games, apps, and websites sometimes ask questions that children should not answer alone.
For example, a child may be asked to:
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create a profile
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upload a photo
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type their age
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enter a birthday
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add a name
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turn on location
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chat with other players
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connect with others through a game
Children do not need to feel frightened by this.
They need to know that when something asks for details, the safe response is:
“Stop and ask a trusted adult first.”
This is especially important in games where children may feel rushed to click through quickly.
Private and personal information online includes photos and videos
Many children do not think of photos or videos as personal information.
But images can reveal a lot.
A photo or video may show:
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a school badge
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a street name
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a house number
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a club uniform
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another child
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where the child is spending time
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when the family is away from home
That is why it helps to teach children that sharing pictures online also needs checking.
A useful rule is:
Before sharing a photo, ask: does this show anything personal?
Parents and schools can model this by pausing before posting and explaining why checking matters.
Teach children not to share passwords
Passwords are one of the clearest examples of private information.
Children should be taught early that passwords are not for sharing with friends, online contacts, or other children in a game.
You can explain it simply:
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“Passwords are private.”
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“They protect your account.”
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“Only trusted adults helping you should know them.”
This can also be linked to broader safety habits such as not clicking random links, not accepting unknown requests, and asking for help when something online feels confusing.
Help children practise what to do instead
Children learn best when adults do not only say what not to do.
They also need to know what to do instead.
Good alternatives include:
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ask a trusted adult first
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leave the box empty
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close the app or page
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bring the device to an adult
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say “I’m not allowed to share that”
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ignore a message asking for personal details
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tell an adult if someone keeps asking
This builds confidence.
It shows children that online safety is not about getting in trouble. It is about knowing how to pause and get help.
What parents can say at home
Children do not need long speeches about online privacy.
They usually respond best to short, repeated phrases such as:
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“Not everything is for sharing.”
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“Ask first before typing.”
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“Personal details stay private.”
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“Photos need checking too.”
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“If a game asks questions, stop and show me.”
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“If someone asks where you live, tell me straight away.”
These phrases are easier for children to remember in real moments.
Consistency matters more than complexity.
How schools can support this topic
Schools can support teaching about private and personal information online through simple, repeated digital safety messages.
This may include:
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class discussions about safe sharing
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examples of what counts as personal information
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reminders about usernames, photos, and passwords
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role-play about asking for help
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links between online safety and trusted adults
For younger children especially, online safety learning works best when schools and parents use similar language.
That helps children hear the same message in more than one place.
Watch for children who think online spaces are “just for fun”
Some children are especially likely to share too much online because they see games, videos, and chat features as entertainment rather than real interaction.
They may think:
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“It is only a game.”
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“It is only a picture.”
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“It is only my first name.”
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“Everybody does it.”
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“They seemed nice.”
That is why adults should avoid assuming a child already understands online privacy just because they can use the device confidently.
Digital skill is not the same as digital safety understanding.
Children often need direct teaching, repetition, and supervision long before safe habits become automatic.
What to do if a child has already shared personal information
If a child has already shared something personal online, stay calm.
Children are more likely to seek help again if adults respond steadily.
Start by:
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reassuring the child that telling you was the right thing to do
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finding out exactly what was shared
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checking where it was shared
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removing or reporting content where possible
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changing passwords if needed
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reviewing privacy settings
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reminding the child what to do next time
The goal is not shame.
The goal is learning, support, and safer habits going forward.
Final thoughts
Teaching children about private and personal information online is an important part of modern child safety.
Children aged 5–10 do not need frightening warnings. They need simple rules, clear examples, and trusted adults who help them slow down before they share.
When parents and schools teach these habits early, children are more likely to protect their information, ask for help when unsure, and build stronger online safety skills over time.
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