How much information does a predator need?

Very little. To get an idea, try going to Google or Yahoo, type your home phone number into the search box, and see how much information you can find.

The video below (from NetSmartz.org) is meant to teach kids the importance of not posting personal information online. The video is just a little dated. It's actually much easier to find people now than it was just a few years ago when this video was made.

You may also want to check out the Common Sense Media article "You're Not as Private as You Think."

What counts as personal information?

• Your full name
• Your picture
• Your address
• Your phone number (home or cell)
• The name of your school
• Your school's mascot - helps narrow down the possible schools
• The names of places nearby where you like to hang out
• Anything else that a predator can use to help find you