Personal information is one of the fastest growing data types on the Internet.
Most young people leave information and pictures of themselves and others on homepages and social networking sites. Personal information can also be available from public sources, such as income tax lists (in Norway) and phone directories. At the same time the tools for finding and combining information become ever more powerful.
98 per cent of young people between the age of 8 and 18 have access to a computer at home. Of these, 26 per cent use the Internet to post pictures and information. Fear of being contacted by someone they don’t know is the most important reason given by young people for not posting personal information.
38 per cent of all young people have experienced that strangers on the Internet has asked for pictures, phone number, address or similar information.
Source: Safe use survey 2008 (Norwegian Media Authority)
