Smart Cat GamesWhat Information Should Kids Never Share Online?
Help kids understand what counts as private, without making the internet feel scary.
For parents
Kids often think private information means only passwords. They may not realize that a school shirt in a photo, a street sign behind them, or a username made from a full name can also tell strangers more than they need to know.
Teach private information in groups: who you are, where you are, how to contact you, and how to get into your accounts. That gives kids a mental checklist they can use before typing, posting, uploading, or answering a question.
For children under 13, keep account creation parent-led. If a game or app asks for a birthday, email, photo, school, or permission to talk to other players, treat that as a parent checkpoint, not a child decision.
It also helps to create safe alternatives. A child who wants a fun username can use favorite colors, animals, numbers that are not birthdays, or made-up words. A child who wants to show a drawing can photograph the drawing without their face, school badge, or bedroom details in the frame.
Kid version
Private information is information that helps someone find you, contact you, or use your account.
- Do not share your full name, address, school, phone number, or birthday.
- Do not share passwords, even with friends.
- Ask before sharing photos or videos.
- Use a nickname that does not include your real name.
- If a game asks for private information, stop and ask a grown-up.
Family activity: private or okay?
Say ten examples out loud and let your child sort them into "private" or "usually okay." Try: first name, full name, favorite color, school, password, favorite cat, home address, made-up username, birthday, and favorite game.