While increasingly online, kids have the potential to expose themselves to identity theft, “sharenting” (parents posting about their kids on social media) can also increase their vulnerability to cybercrime and identity theft. As we post children’s special moments on social media, the information shared can give away details such as birthdays, addresses, and pet names.²

It’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t take much information to identify someone uniquely. A cybercriminal may just need three key pieces of information: zip code, gender and date of birth.³ That’s about the same amount of information it takes to sign up for Starbucks rewards!

Tips for Preventing Children’s ID Theft

You can’t be too careful about your child’s use of the internet and digital devices. Here’s what you can do to protect your child’s data:

• Limit and monitor screen time. Not only will limiting and monitoring screen time help prevent against ID theft, but studies have shown excessive screen time can lead to attention difficulties and challenges with social interaction.⁴
• Educate your kids on the importance of online privacy and encourage them not to talk to strangers online.
• Be mindful about what information you post about your child on social media. It doesn’t take much information for a cybercriminal to learn key information about your child.
• Preemptively freeze your child’s credit. To freeze a minor’s credit, you must submit a written request and documentation to all three credit bureaus.
• Enroll in a family Identity Protection plan. An ID Protection plan can alert you if your child’s information is exposed or if their credit is affected.

What to Do if Your Child’s Data is Breached

Act fast. The quicker you can act, the less damage there is to repair. Take these steps immediately:

• File a police report
• Reach out to your financial institutions
• Freeze your child’s credit (if you haven’t already)
• If you’re enrolled in a family Identity Protection plan, contact your provider for assistance handling some of these steps (and many others) on your behalf

Our ID Protection plan monitors activity for nine different types of identity theft, including Child Identity Protection. Click here to learn more.

¹The Hidden Dangers of Free Apps and Games for Kids. Bitdefender. www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/the-hidden-dangers-of-free-apps-and-games-for-kids, April 8, 2025.
²Children at risk of identity theft and fraud from ‘sharenting’. BBC.www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8904njvy03o, September 1, 2025.
³L. Sweeney, Simple Demographics Often Identify People Uniquely. Carnegie Mellon University, Data Privacy Working Paper 3. Pittsburgh 2000.
⁴Screen Time and the Developing Brain: Are ‘iPad Kids’ at Risk? University of Rochester Medical Center. www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/publications/health-matters/screen-time-and-the-developing-brain-are-ipad-kids-at-risk, June 20, 2025.