Topic One (1.1): Personal and Private Information

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

By the end of this topic, you should be able to: 

  • Explain what personal information is 
  • Explain what private information is 
  • Explain what identity theft is. 

 You might also be able to: 

  • Understand digital well-being

Introduction

The internet and mobile phones have changed the way people live. These inventions are both useful and fun! Nowadays, you are often required to register for an account and provide your details to use a service.

Working through your course

When you register for an account it is important that you understand the information that you are giving out and how it can be used. Here is an example of a sign-up form you might see: 

 Mod 1 Topic 1.1 Sign up pic.png

 Personal information is information that usually can’t be used to identify you on its own. Your personal information tells people things like who you are, where you are and what you like. Some examples are: 

  • Age  
  • Gender 
  • Favourite things 

This information is usually safe to share online. However, it can be used in combination with private information to help someone identify you.  

Private information is information that can be used to identify you. Some examples are: 

  • National Insurance number (NI) (Social Security Number) 
  • Address 
  • Phone number 
  • Email address 
  • Credit card information  

Even though personal information is usually safe to share online, you still need to be very careful with how much personal information you share online. 

Identity theft 

Identity theft, or identity fraud, is a crime where someone uses your information to pretend to be you or to steal things from you. Once an identity thief has enough information about you, they can use it to do things like buying things on your credit card, posting things on your social media account(s) or applying for identification with your name on it, like a driver’s licence. 

Mod 1 Topic 1.1 Pic 2.png

 

  • Download your digital workbook. You can use Word or Google docs to complete topic activities as well as your review notes. There is also space (at the back) for any extra extension or support activities:

DOWNLOAD - Digital Workbook - Module One Download DOWNLOAD - Digital Workbook - Module One

PLAY - Mindful Mountain (Interland - Google) Links to an external site.

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After playing Mindful Mountain, ask yourself these questions and type the answers in your workbook:

  1. Which type of post do you think you would share most often in real life? Why?
  2. Why do you think the character in Mindful Mountain is called an oversharer?
  3. Can you describe the oversharer’s character and how their actions affect the game?
  4. Did playing Mindful Mountain change the way you’ll think about sharing with others online in the future?
  5. What is one example of a possible negative consequence of sharing something with the public instead of just your friends?
  6. What steps can you take if you accidentally share something personal?

Review

Reflect upon what you have just covered. In your workbook, summarise:

  • What you have learnt
  • What you already knew
  • What surprised you
  • What you are curious to know more about.

 Support activity for this topic

If you need more support on Personal and Private Information, watch this YouTube video:

Identity theft - these people ‘liked’ a Facebook page for a free coffee; watch the video to find out what happened next?

Extension activity for this topic

If you would like to learn more about digital well-being:

EXPLORE – DigitalWellbeing (Google) Links to an external site.