Half of NZ teens post personal info online

Last updated 11:25 05/05/2009

The lasting effects of the internet on children's lives could soon be as big a part of the school health curriculum as sexuality, drug use and contraception, a web watchdog said yesterday.

New research from cyberspace watchdog Netsafe reveals that half of New Zealand teenagers post sensitive information about themselves on publicly available web pages and chatrooms.

Research manager John Fenaughty said the findings proved that although half the country's teens were "safe" online, the other half "still had something to learn".

An Auckland secondary school will this month be the first to take part in trial lessons covering the "digital footprint" each teen leaves when they surf the web, plus how to stay safe from cyber-bullying and sexual predators.

If successful, the Education Ministry may include the programme in school health curriculums nationwide.

In the latest research, the online habits of 1700 college students were surveyed. It found that one in two teenagers had posted sensitive information about themselves online in the past year without thinking about the consequences.

One in three teens had posted sensitive information such as their first and last name, or their first name and a recognisable picture of themselves. Some had even posted their address.

The same number had posted things such as pictures, stories, or comments that they would not want someone who did not like them to find.

Mr Fenaughty said posting contact details left teenagers vulnerable to cyber-bullying.

"Once information is posted publicly online, you lose control of it. You can't control who sees it, copies it, forwards it or who potentially uses it against you."

Mr Fenaughty said even if teens took down information, there was no guarantee it had not already been copied and posted elsewhere online.

Another concern was how sensitive information, once publicly available, could be accessed by potential employers, he said.

"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 privacy settings on social networking pages, searched their names and phone numbers to see what came up, and removed any sensitive information about themselves. — Fairfax

Original Article: http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/features/technology/2385576/Half-of-NZ-teens-post-personal-info-online