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Personal information online

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can sort personal and non-personal information and explain why it should be kept private.

Key learning points

  1. Personal information is information that can identify a person.
  2. Some information should be kept private online.
  3. Keeping personal information private helps people stay safe online.

Keywords

  • Online - connected to or using the internet

  • Personal information - information that shows who a person is, such as their name or address

  • Private - something not meant to be shared with everyone

Common misconception

If information is true, it is safe to share.

Information can be true and still unsafe to share if it helps someone identify a person.

Teacher tip

A key point in this lesson is the difference between information that identifies a person and information that simply describes them. Take time to clarify this boundary so pupils do not overgeneralise.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
Which piece of information would help someone work out exactly who you are?

your favourite ice cream flavour
Correct answer: your full name and the school you attend
your favourite animal

Q2.
Match the information to the correct description.

Correct Answer:home address,shows where someone lives

shows where someone lives

Correct Answer:favourite sport,describes what someone likes

describes what someone likes

Correct Answer:phone number,could be used to send voice messages to someone

could be used to send voice messages to someone

Q3.
Which of these examples would usually be shared with fewer people?

a notice on a school website
Correct answer: a message to a parent or carer
a comment on a public video
a post in an online game chat

Q4.
Which of these examples happens online?

writing in a notebook
talking to a friend in the playground
Correct answer: posting a message on a website
drawing a picture on paper

4 Questions

Q1.
Which piece of information identifies a specific person?

favourite sport
Correct answer: full name
favourite colour
favourite subject

Q2.
Which example is most likely to identify someone?

first name
favourite animal and subject
town
Correct answer: first name and town

Q3.
Why should some personal information remain private online?

because it makes your profile look better
Correct answer: because you may not control who sees it
because it is not very interesting

Q4.
Information can be true and still unsafe to share if it identifies you.

Correct Answer: online

To help you plan your 4 digital literacy lesson on: Personal information online, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...