Online Privacy for Teens
Being online is fun, but your privacy matters. Privacy means controlling who sees your information. Many apps ask for your name, birthday, school, location, and photos. Share less, not more. If an app asks for something that is not needed, skip it.
Use strong passwords: at least 12 characters with letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not reuse the same password. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) so a code is needed to log in. Check privacy settings on every app: make your account private, limit who can message you, and hide your location. Turn off geotags in photos. Before you post, use the “Grandma test”: would you show this to your grandma and your future teacher? If not, don’t post it.
Be careful with public Wi-Fi. Do not enter passwords or pay money on open networks. Watch for phishing: fake messages that ask you to click a link or give a code. Real companies do not ask for your password in a chat. If someone pushes you to share a photo or secret, say no and tell an adult you trust. Finally, clean up your digital space: delete old apps, close accounts you don’t use, and review your posts every few months.
10 Questions
-
What does privacy mean online?
-
Should you share more or less information?
-
What makes a strong password?
-
Why use 2FA?
-
Which settings should you check on apps?
-
What should you do with geotags?
-
What is the “Grandma test”?
-
Why avoid entering passwords on public Wi-Fi?
-
What is phishing?
-
Name one way to clean up your digital space.
Short Answers
-
Controlling who sees your information.
-
Share less.
-
12+ characters with letters, numbers, symbols.
-
It adds a code for extra security.
-
Privacy, messaging, and location settings.
-
Turn them off/hide your location.
-
Post only what you’d show to Grandma/teacher.
-
It’s not secure; hackers may see data.
-
Fake messages that try to steal info.
-
Delete old apps or close unused accounts (review posts).