Dr Ismini Vasileiou has appeared on ITV News to talk about the importance of parents talking to their children about online privacy.

The founder of the East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster was asked by the broadcaster to give her thoughts following a new campaign by the Information Commissioner’s Office. 

The Switched onto Privacy campaign urges parents to have regular, meaningful conversations with their children about online privacy – something Dr Vasileiou says should be a basic life skill.

During the interview, Dr Vasileiou highlights how easily children’s personal data is collected through everyday online activities. From apps and games to social media, video platforms, and even emerging AI tools, data is constantly being shared – often without families fully realising it. 

Speaking on camera , Dr Vasileiou, who is also an Associate Professor at De Montfort University, stressed that personal data goes far beyond names and addresses. 

She said: “Every time a child downloads an app or logs in to an online game or browses the internet they could be accepting cookies and that’s all collecting data.

“It’s not just their ID or their name, it could be their voice or location and putting all that together creates a digital identity.”

The ITV news package online privacy and dangers of sharing personal information and how parents can talk to their children about the issue,

The programme shared that new research suggests these type of conversations are extremely important, with 24% of children questioned admitting they had shared their real name or address online.

Following the broadcast, Dr Vasileiou highlights the real-world risks of children developing a digital footprint from an early age, warning that it can make them easier to identify, contact and potentially exploit. By sharing information online, children may unintentionally reveal details about their routines, friendships and vulnerabilities.

She notes that, as children are still developing their judgment, they may not fully grasp the long-term consequences of what they post.

Beyond the immediate risks, she also points to longer-term implications including reputational damage, reduced privacy, targeted advertising and profiling. Content shared in childhood can persist into adulthood, influencing how individuals are perceived and the opportunities available to them.

Dr Vasileiou added: “Understanding online privacy is no longer optional. It should now be seen as a basic life skill, similar to road safety, that both children and parents must actively develop in today’s digital world.”