Stay Safe Online Beginner

What Is Sensitive Information?

Sensitive information is private info to share only with safe, trusted people.

Infographic: What Is Sensitive Information? It shows what counts as sensitive and how to protect it.
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Sensitive information is private information that should be handled carefully and shared only with safe, trusted people or places.

Why does it matter? Protecting it keeps you safe, protects your money and accounts, guards your identity and reputation, and helps stop scams and tricks.

What counts as sensitive? Passwords and PINs, your home address, phone number, email, birthday, school name, account numbers, medical info, and photos you should not share publicly.

A simple test: if you would not tell a stranger in real life, do not share it online.

To protect it, ask a trusted grown-up, use strong passwords, keep secrets secret, be careful on forms, use privacy settings, and think before you share.

Remember: sensitive means important to protect. Share carefully, and ask before posting. You have the power to protect your information.

What to remember

  • Sensitive information is private and needs extra care.
  • It includes passwords, address, phone, and birthday.
  • Share it only with safe, trusted people or places.
  • When in doubt, ask before you share.

Words to know

Sensitive information
Private details that need extra protection.
PIN
A secret number, like for a card or phone.
Identity
The info that proves who you are.
Trusted place
A safe, real website or person.

For grown-ups

Sensitive information is data that can cause harm if exposed: credentials, identifiers, financial, health, and contact details. Teaching kids to recognize it and share it only over trusted channels, and to be wary of forms and strangers, is foundational privacy and anti-fraud hygiene.

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