Public or Private

Your real name?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

Your full name could encourage bad guys to steal your online identity and pretend to be you. This is called Identity Theft.

Your or your parents phone number?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

Your phone number gives bad guys lots of opportunities to scam you. This could be with bad text messages or pop-ups to infect your phone with viruses.

Your favourite colour?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

Details about your favourite colour gives very little information to cybercriminals.

Close-up photos of your pets?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

As long as the photos do not show identifiable features, they are ok to share publicly online.

Your school building or school photos?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

School photos will have your school logo in them. This shows bad guys where you go to school and gives them a rough idea of the area you live in. Photos of your school building can also be identifiable online. Even the Australian Federal Police recommend not posting school photos online!

Your home address?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

Cybercriminals can try and steal your identity with this information. They can use it to 'prove' they are you, even though they are not.

A photo of you in bathers?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

There are lots of bad people online who use other people's photos. Plus you might find that photo embarrassing when you are older, keep it private!

Posts about your favourite hobby or sport?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

If the photos or location settings do not identify where you take part in your hobbies, they are safe to post publicly online.

Your nickname?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

Using a nickname instead of your real name is a great way to stay safe online. Remember never to use numbers from your date of birth, which can be used for identity theft.

Photos of you playing at the park or sports ground with no identifiable signs?

• Public

• Private

Answer explanation

It is safe to post photos of parks and sports grounds as long as they do not include a sign that identifies the park's name or location setting are turned on.