Three out of four teens overshare personal information that can make them more vulnerable to online crime, according to the results of a survey released today by LifeLock, Inc. (NYSE: LOCK), an industry leader in identity theft protection.
Many teens share data that can leave them susceptible to identity theft and other dangers. Several types of personal information are being shared too often: 29% of those surveyed said they display their full date of birth online; 33% said they display part of their birth date, such as the month and year. 23% reveal part of their home address and 6% show the full address 63% share the name of the school they attend. While they’re aware of the danger of over-sharing, they don’t think they’re the worst offenders: Only 11% say they reveal too much about themselves, while 46% say their friends share too much.
“With 75% of teenagers including some type of personal information on their social media profiles, it’s clear that they don’t understand the potential danger of oversharing,” said Hilary Schneider, President of LifeLock. “As parents we need to engage in regular conversations with our teens about online behavior and set boundaries.”
Schneider suggests that parents explain identity theft and other online crimes to their teens, discuss the risks, and have thoughtful conversations about smart ways to be safe while being active in social media.
Parents and educators may find more information about identity theft and its impact at http://www.lifelock.com/education
