How to Talk to Your Child About Sharing Personal Information Online

2 December 2025

The internet is like a giant playground—full of fun, adventure, and unfortunately, potential dangers. As parents, we want our kids to enjoy the digital world safely, but how do we teach them to protect their personal information?

Having this conversation with your child might feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—it's all about keeping it simple, relatable, and open. Let’s dive into the best ways to guide your child in understanding what’s safe to share online and what should remain private.

Why This Conversation Matters

Kids today are growing up in a digital world, and sharing information online feels as natural to them as talking to a friend. However, just as we teach them to look both ways before crossing the street, we need to teach them how to protect their private information online.

Sharing the wrong details—like their full name, home address, or even where they go to school—can put them at risk. Strangers, hackers, and even other kids can misuse this information. That’s why having an honest conversation about online privacy is crucial.

1. Start With a Simple Explanation

Kids may not understand terms like "privacy breaches" or "identity theft," but they do get the idea of secrets and personal space.

🔹 Try this analogy: “Imagine you have a special diary where you write your thoughts and feelings. You wouldn’t just hand it over to someone you don’t know, right? Well, the internet is kind of the same way—some things need to stay private.”

Make it relatable and easy to digest. If they see personal information as something special that shouldn’t be shared with just anyone, they’ll grasp the concept more easily.

2. Explain What Personal Information Is

Kids might not always know what qualifies as "personal" information. Break it down for them.

Here’s a simple list of things they should NEVER share online:

🚫 Full Name
🚫 Home Address
🚫 Phone Number
🚫 School Name or Location
🚫 Passwords
🚫 Parent’s Work Information
🚫 Credit Card or Bank Details (for older kids)

A good rule of thumb? If they wouldn’t tell a stranger on the street, they shouldn’t post it online.

3. Teach Them About “Stranger Danger” in the Digital World

Many kids think that danger only comes from scary strangers in dark alleys—but the reality is, online predators can disguise themselves as friendly faces.

🔹 Try this: “Just like we don’t talk to strangers in real life, we don’t trust people online who we don’t really know—even if they seem nice.”

Encourage them to tell you if someone online asks them personal questions. Explain that some people pretend to be kids when they’re actually adults with bad intentions. Creating a “safe space” where they feel comfortable discussing these things is key.

4. Set Clear Rules for Online Sharing

To make things easier, set up basic household rules for online activities.

✅ Nicknames Only: When creating usernames, avoid real names. Instead of “EmmaSmith10,” go for something like “StarGamer10.”
✅ Private Profiles: Teach kids to keep social media accounts and gaming profiles set to private.
✅ Think Before Posting: Ask them to pause before sharing anything. Would they be okay if a stranger saw it? If not, don’t post it.
✅ Tell an Adult First: Before signing up for a new game or app, they should always check in with you.

Establishing these ground rules early on helps prevent mistakes before they happen.

5. Role-Playing Scenarios

One of the best ways to reinforce safe online behavior is through role-playing.

👩‍👧 Example 1: Pretend you’re a stranger online asking for your child’s address. See how they respond and correct any mistakes.
🧑‍💻 Example 2: Play the role of a friend sending a suspicious link. Teach them to verify before clicking.

Practicing real-life scenarios helps them recognize red flags before they accidentally reveal something personal.

6. Talk About Oversharing and Social Media

For tweens and teens, social media is a huge part of life. But they might not fully understand how permanent the internet is.

Explain that once something is posted, it’s difficult—if not impossible—to erase completely. Even if they delete a photo or message, someone might have already taken a screenshot.

🔹 Analogy: “Posting something online is like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube. Once it’s out, you can’t put it back in.”

Help them understand that things like sharing their location, posting pictures in school uniforms, or tagging where they are in real time can be risky.

Encourage them to think before they post: Would they be okay if a teacher, grandparent, or future employer saw this? If not, it’s probably best to skip posting it.

7. Encourage Open Communication

The last thing you want is for your child to hide things from you because they’re afraid of getting in trouble.

Let them know they can always talk to you about anything strange or uncomfortable they experience online—without fear of punishment.

🔹 Reassure them: “If you ever feel weird about something online, you can always come to me, and we’ll figure it out together.”

By fostering open communication, you ensure they feel comfortable coming to you when they need help.

8. Use Parental Controls—But Don’t Rely Solely on Them

Parental controls, filters, and monitoring apps are helpful tools, but they shouldn’t replace conversations. Even with the best settings in place, kids can still encounter tricky situations.

Instead of just blocking content, teach them why it’s dangerous and how to make safe decisions on their own. This way, they develop critical thinking skills they can use even when you’re not around.

9. Lead By Example

Kids learn best by watching what we do. If you’re oversharing on social media, constantly posting personal details, or accepting friend requests from strangers, they might see that as okay behavior.

Model healthy digital habits:
✔ Keep your accounts private.
✔ Be mindful of what you post.
✔ Avoid sharing too much about your kids online, too!

When they see you practicing online safety, they’re more likely to follow your lead.

10. Keep the Conversation Ongoing

Talking about online safety isn’t a one-time conversation—it’s an ongoing one. As your child grows, new digital challenges will arise, and they’ll need guidance along the way.

Make it a habit to check in regularly:
💬 “What cool things did you do online today?”
💬 “Has anyone you don’t know ever tried messaging you?”
💬 “Do you feel safe when you’re online?”

By keeping the dialogue open, you empower your child to make safe and smart choices online.

Final Thoughts

Talking to your child about sharing personal information online doesn’t have to be scary—it just needs to be clear, relatable, and ongoing.

Your guidance will help them understand the importance of keeping their personal details private, recognizing online dangers, and making smart digital choices.

Remember, the goal isn’t to scare them—it’s to teach them how to navigate the online world safely and confidently.

With your support, they’ll learn how to enjoy the internet while keeping their personal information protected.