Teaching kids what not to share online
A simple, age-by-age way to teach children which personal details to keep private online, and why it matters.
- Teach children that small details add up: a uniform, a jeepney route and a first name can be enough to find someone.
- Use the "would you shout it in the mall?" test for anything they post publicly.
- Check photos for hidden clues and turn off location tagging.
Most children understand that they shouldn't tell strangers their address. Fewer understand that a photo in their school uniform, a post about their basketball practice and a TikTok filmed at the front gate can tell a stranger exactly where to find them.
The details that should stay private
Teach your child to keep these away from people they don't know offline:
- Full name together with school, grade or section
- Home address, barangay or subdivision name
- Phone number and email
- School uniform, ID lace or school logo in photos
- Daily routines: when they leave for school, which jeepney or tricycle route, when no one is home
- Live location, or posting where they are while they're still there
- Passwords and verification codes (OTPs)
- Family details: when parents are abroad, when the house is empty
- Photos of their body, or anything they wouldn't want everyone to see
Small details add up
Show older children how a stranger might piece things together. A first name in a username. A school patch in a profile photo. A video showing a recognisable sari-sari store on their street. Each alone seems harmless. Together they can identify where a child lives and goes to school.
A simple test
Before posting, ask:
- Would I shout this in a crowded mall? If not, it shouldn't be public.
- Would I be okay if my teacher, lola or a stranger saw this?
- Could this help someone find me?
By age
Under 8
Keep it simple: "We don't tell people online our name, our school or where we live. If anyone asks, tell Mama or Papa."
8 to 12
Explain why: some people online pretend to be kids. Practise spotting private information in example posts. Make sure game and app profiles use a nickname, not a full name, and a picture that isn't their face.
13 and up
Talk about digital footprints: future schools and employers may look them up. Show them how to check who can see their posts, review tagged photos, and turn off location tagging. Discuss screenshots: anything sent privately can be shared.
Settings to check together
- Profile set to private on social media
- Location off for the camera and for posts
- Real name hidden or shortened in games
- Friend requests and messages limited to people they know
- Old public posts reviewed and deleted if needed
See also location sharing: what to turn off and social media safety settings.
Model it yourself. If you post your child's school, schedule or location publicly, they'll learn that it's normal. See posting your kids online.
eGuard sets up screen time, bedtime and app rules on your child's phone and checks that each one is really on. Free for one child.