The Badge Archive

Personally Identifiable Information, or PII, is any information connected to you that can be used to uncover your specific identity.

PII includes basic details like your full name, home address, phone number, and email address. It also includes things like your exact physical location, as well as any photos, videos, or audio recordings of you. Sometimes, even if one piece of information does not seem dangerous on its own, someone can combine it with other details to figure out exactly who you are, where you are, and how to reach you.

Why Information Posted Online is Never Truly Deleted

When you put information on the internet, you should remember the rule: “once posted, always posted”. Any information, messages, or pictures you share online can easily be copied by other people. Even if you delete a post later, it is almost impossible to take it back completely because someone else might have already saved it to their own device. Additionally, if you stop using an app or a social media account but leave the account open, your data is still left out on the internet, which increases the risk of your information being exposed in a data breach.

How to Keep Your PII Safe

There are several steps you can take to protect your personal information when you are online.

• Keep Personal Information Personal: Never give out your name, address, phone number, or any other personal details to a stranger without a parent’s approval.
• Use Privacy Settings: Turn on privacy settings in your games, apps, and social media so your profile is set to “private” and only people you know in real life can see what you post.
• Limit Location Sharing: Restrict location tracking on your devices and do not post about exactly where you are or where you are going.
• Protect Your Passwords: Use hard-to-guess passwords for your accounts and keep them completely private.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
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Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
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See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
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