Day 2: Personal vs. Private Information
Personal vs. Private Information
A foundational safety lesson is understanding the critical difference between what is personal and what is private. Personal information includes details that identify a person, such as their full name, home address, school name, phone number, and even photos in a school uniform or near a recognizable street sign.2 Private information includes things like passwords or secrets that should never be shared, even with close friends.10
It is vital to explain why this information must be protected. Strangers online can piece together seemingly innocent bits of information to build a detailed profile, which can lead to identity theft, fraud, or even physical danger.9 The most important family rule should be: "Never share personal information online without asking a parent first".1
● Questions:
1. Is your school's name personal or private information? Why shouldn't you share it with a stranger in an online game?
2. If a new online friend asks for your password so they can help you in a game, what should you do?
● Family Activity: Create two columns on a whiteboard or paper: "Okay to Share" and "Ask a Parent First." Have family members write or draw examples of information that belongs in each column. For example, "Favorite color" or "Favorite animal" goes in the first column, while "Our home address" or "Mom's phone number" goes in the second. This visual exercise makes the concept concrete.1
Personal vs. Private Information
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