Keep personal data private — Data, 4–6
Some information tells others about a particular person, such as a name, face or home address. Children can learn to share ordinary information carefully and ask a trusted adult before sharing private details.
Some data is personal
Personal data is information that points to a particular person. A name, photograph, voice, school name or home address may do this. It can be useful, but it belongs to a person, so it deserves care.
Why keep it private?
People need some control over who knows about them and where they can be found. Sharing a private detail with the wrong person can make someone worried or unsafe. This is why we pause and ask a trusted adult before sharing it.
Choosing what to share
A class makes a poster about favourite fruit. Ana says, “I like pears,” which is ordinary information. Someone also asks for Ana’s full name and home address; those are private details. The teacher says to leave them out, so the poster shares the idea without identifying Ana.
A small detail can identify someone
A child may think a detail is safe because it is not a full address or full name. But “the only child with a purple coat at Oak Street School” could still point to one person. This mistake is reasonable: each detail feels small until we put the clues together.
Privacy in daily life
Before showing a photo, sending a voice message or telling where a friend lives, ask whether that person agrees. Online or offline, the same care applies. If you are unsure, do not share the detail yet; ask a trusted adult first.
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