., click here to update your profile before our next event to be entered to win a prize!

7 Topics Teens Should Not Share On Social Media

May 12, 2014

•

2 min read

Green Zone App

Red Zone App

This is a
Gray Zone App
(Click here to learn more)

., you're logged in!

Enjoy this resource and share our programs with your school district to send these resources to your whole community

., you're logged in!

Share this resource with a parent at your district
(or visit our new sharing center)

., you're logged in!

Enjoy this demo pass. Click the button to share access with leaders in your school district (or visit our new sharing center)

7 Topics Teens Should Not Share On Social Media an Expert Guest Blog by SmartSocial.com

In this blog post, we discuss 7 topics that teens shouldn't share on social media. In today's world of social networking and information sharing, both adults and kids often times forget to think twice about what they share online.

Here are 7 items teens should not share on social media:

1. Your Home Address

Your real friends will know where you live because they have probably been to your house. Leave this information out of your social media profiles. It’s just not necessary, and puts you at risk.

2. Your Phone Number

Give your phone number out only to the people who you want contacting you. Sharing information can seem safe and friendly on whichever site you like to use, but be aware that your profile can be viewed all over the internet. The only secure data is that which is not posted.

3. Your Mom’s Maiden Name

Social media sites are increasingly more and more like online people directories. Share your favorite photos, share your favorite quotes, share your thoughts and dreams...but keep personal security information like your mother’s maiden name offline.

4. The Names of Your Pets

This one may be harder to do because it seems like everyone loves posting images of their cat, dog, fish, or bird for others to admire. But think to yourself--how much information would you feel comfortable with having a relative stranger know about you? Pets names are routinely used as a part of people's passwords. By sharing this information, it makes it easier for someone to potentially hack your accounts.

5. Checking In

No one needs to know where you are every minute of the day. If you’re with your friends and want others to join you, whip out your phone and text them! Or better yet, tell them the next time you contact them how great a time you had at Barry’s Eatery and how much you’d love to see them for the next rendezvous.

6. Details About Legal Issues

Just because you can share it, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. If you need convincing, read the news about a dad losing 80K over his daughter's Facebook post. We know teens these days are smart, but sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are still serious legal ramifications to public information sharing.

7. Too Many Details About Your Personal Life

Keep relationships that matter to you mostly off-line. That’s where they exist, anyway. Many times issues arise by posting something he didn’t want shared with the world, or by saying something inappropriate that she accidentally stumbled upon. The personal relationships we cultivate are still most important in real life, and easiest to understand that way.As an added bonus, here's a video of Josh Ochs outlining how teens & tweens can get in trouble on Facebook. He shows parents and educators why they need to talk to kids and remind them not to check in at home, not to let them share when their parents are out of town, not to check in when on vacation, not to share your dog's name, etc.http://youtu.be/qVffA1qvORI What tips do you have to keep kids safe and smart social media? Share in the comments below.

School Districts: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

Protect Your Family With
Our 1 Minute Quiz

Become a Member

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Become a Member

Protect Your Family With
Our 1 Minute Quiz

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Protect Your Family With
Our 1 Minute Quiz

Become a Member

., start learning from this page to earn points!*

Hello, I'm Josh, the founder of SmartSocial.com.
Don't leave this page until you fill out our feedback form that will appear after you learn from the resources...

Join Our Next Live Parent Q&A Events (Bring Your Kids!)

Jul

Avoiding Strangers & Dangerous Situations: Help Your Child Stay Safe Online (Summer Streaming Session)

Learn the dangers of students talking with strangers online, how to recognize the red flags, and a practical approach to help your child stay safe and happy online.

Jul

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

Bring your kids and learn how to set up a Family Media Agreement for your entire family in order to keep your family safer with technology and social media.

Jul

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

Bring your kids and learn how to set up a Family Media Agreement for your entire family in order to keep your family safer with technology and social media.

Jul

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

Bring your kids and learn how to set up a Family Media Agreement for your entire family in order to keep your family safer with technology and social media.

*Only for families in partner school districts or individual paid VIP members: simply attend the live event, join in the activities, and your family will be eligible to earn points and prizes to keep your family safe (while supplies last).

View our latest app guides:

Here are some of the latest resources at SmartSocial.com

Fortnite Guide for Parents SmartSocial.com

Gray Zone

Fortnite Guide for Parents (2025)

Expert Tips

Pros and Cons of Video Games

Gray Zone

Roblox Guide for Parents

Become a Very Informed Parent (VIP) to get our social media suggestions in your email every Tuesday & Thursday.

Learn about our
"Very Informed Parent"
VIP Program

Hello, I'm Josh, the founder of SmartSocial.com. Protect your family by taking my 1 minute quiz

This quiz will help you understand how safe your family is

Take Josh's 1 Min Quiz

Schools & Districts: Partner with us to protect your community online

Our remote presentations (and website) teach over a million parents and students each year how to be safe so they can shine online. We teach students how their accounts can be used to create a portfolio of positive accomplishments that impress colleges and employers.

Partner with SmartSocial.com

Join Our Smart Social Podcast
‍each week on iTunes

With over 500 episodes, Josh Ochs interviews psychologists, therapists, counselors, teachers, and parents while showing you how to navigate social media to someday shine online.

Listen on:

SmartSocial App

Learn more

7 Topics Teens Should Not Share On Social Media

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

., start learning from this page to earn points!*

You have earned 10 points on this resource in the past for submitting feedback! Visit another resource to earn more points!

Join Our Next Live Parent Q&A Events (Bring Your Kids!)

Avoiding Strangers & Dangerous Situations: Help Your Child Stay Safe Online (Summer Streaming Session)

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

*Only for families in partner school districts or individual paid VIP members: simply attend the live event, join in the activities, and your family will be eligible to earn points and prizes to keep your family safe (while supplies last).

Login to Join Our Next Events for Parents & Students

Avoiding Strangers & Dangerous Situations: Help Your Child Stay Safe Online (Summer Streaming Session)

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

Reduce Arguments with a Family Media Plan (Summer Streaming Session)

View our latest app guides: