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Half of New Zealand teenagers post sensitive information about themselves on publicly available web pages and mobile phone chat rooms, according to research from NetSafe.
The organisation, which promotes safe and responsible use of cyberspace, surveyed the online habits of 1700 college students from around the country.
It found that one in two two teenagers surveyed had posted sensitive information about themselves in public online spaces in the past year without thinking about the possible consequences.
Included in sensitive information they posted was:
-Instant messenger ID or e-mail address (30%)
-First and last name, or their first name and a recognisable
picture of themselves, and anything (such as pictures, stories, or
comments) that they wouldn't want someone who didn't like them to
find (30%)
-Mobile phone number (14%)
- Home address (3%)
"Once information is posted publicly online you lose control of it," says NetSafe research manager John Fanaughty.
"You can't control who sees it, copies it, forwards it or who potentially uses it against you.
"Even if you take it down, there's absolutely no guarantee that it hasn't already been copied and posted elsewhere online."
The posting of contact details also left teenagers vulnerable to cyberbullying, Fenaughty says.
Another concern was how sensitive information, once publicly available, could be accessed by potential employers.
"NetSafe is already aware of employers who search online to find out information about new applicants."
"If their public digital footprint shows applicants in a way that the organisation feels is negative, then they will be unsuccessful."
He suggested teenagers used the privacy settings on social networking pages, searched their names and phone numbers to see what came up, and removed any examples of sensitive information about themselves that had been posted online.
Do you post personal information online? What are your limits? Ever had to deal with any negative consequences? Share on our messageboard below!
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