Safe to share?
A game wants to put things about you on your profile, where everyone can see them. Sort each card. Is it fine to share, or should you keep it private?
Card 1 of 12
The country you live in
For example: Sri Lanka
A game wants to show this on your profile, where everyone can see it. Drag the card to a box, or tap a box.
The question to ask
Before you share something online, ask: Could this help a stranger find out who you are or where you are?
If the answer is yes, keep it private. If lots of other people could say the same thing about themselves, it does not point to you, and it is fine to share.
Where each card goes
| Card | Box | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The country you live in | Fine to share | Millions of people live in your country. It does not point to you. |
| Your home address | Keep private | It shows where you live. A stranger could find your home. |
| Your full name | Keep private | Your first name and surname together point to just you. |
| Your favourite colour | Fine to share | Lots of people like the same colour. It does not point to you. |
| The name of your school | Keep private | It shows where you are on every school day. |
| Your username | Fine to share | A made-up name hides who you are. Check that your real name is not in it. |
| Your phone number | Keep private | A stranger could call you or send you messages. |
| Your first name | Fine to share | Lots of people have the same first name. On its own, it does not point to you. |
| A photo of you in uniform | Keep private | A photo shows your face. The badge shows which school you go to. |
| Your password | Keep private | A password is a secret key. Anyone who has it can get into your account. |
| Your favourite animal | Fine to share | Many children like the same animal. It does not point to you. |
| Your date of birth | Keep private | With your name, it can help someone pretend to be you. |
Small clues add up
One clue on its own may not point to you. Several clues together can. Your first name is fine to share. Your first name next to a photo of you in your school uniform is not, because now a stranger knows your name, your face and your school.
If someone asks you for something private
Do not answer, even if the person seems friendly. Tell an adult you trust, such as a parent or a teacher. Do the same if you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable.
For teachers
This tool goes with Unit 1, Lesson 1 (Explaining e-safety) of the Year 4 Inspire Computing student book. It gives every pupil the same examples to argue about before they write their own safety tips.
- The first round shows the cards in the same order on every device. Put it on the board and let the class vote with their hands before you tap a box.
- These cards follow the book: the country you live in, your home address, your full name, the name of your school, your username, your first name and a photo of you in uniform.
- These cards are extra, and use the same rule: your favourite colour, your phone number, your password, your favourite animal and your date of birth.
- Nothing a pupil does here is saved or sent anywhere.
More to try
- Make up a username that has no part of your real name in it.
- Think of a photo taken at your school. What clues in it could tell a stranger where you are?
- Your favourite colour is fine to share. Can you think of three more things that are fine to share?
- A game asks for your home address before you can play. What should you do?