In a Malwarebytes blog, author Mark Beare explains how your child's data can be stolen, and even more so if you have given medical  or health data.
The author explains how his 9 year old's data has been stolen more than three times already, which included her name, date of birth, Social Security Number (they are based in Australia), medical documentation, insurance information, and more.  They only became aware of the situation when the medical company they dealt with wrote them a letter explaining that there had been a data breach caused by a cyber attack, at the company.  Read the Malwarebyes blog 👉 https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/personal/2024/08/my-child-had-her-data-stolen-heres-how-to-protect-your-kids-from-identity-theft

Data Controllers:

If you are a data controller collecting children's data then consider what you are collecting and how you are storing the data.  The ICO gives clear guidance about handling children's data and why children require specific protection:


If you process children's data you should think about the need to provide specific protection by designing your processing, systems and products with that in mind.  Further ICO guidance👉 ICO: Processing children's personal data

Medical and health data is considered special category data and is considered more sensitive or private.  Further ICO guidance 👉 ICO: Special Category Data

Remember if you suffer a cyber attack, then you are also very likely to suffer a data breach and should be aware of how to handle and report the incident.  Review our article 👉 What's a Cyber Incident and what should we do?

Parents and Carers

An adult with parental responsibility may seek to exercise any of the child's rights on their behalf.  Parents should be aware of any parental controls for any systems involving online activity.  Parents should consider:
🛡️ reviewing any privacy settings with their children
🛡️ creating emails on a child's behalf
🛡️ keeping devices updated so they have any security patches applied
🛡️ regularly talking to your child about online safety and how to set strong passwords
🛡️consider using identity monitoring tools

What if my child has their identity stolen?

You you know or suspect your child has had their identity stolen, report it to Action Fraud.  They will be best able to advise what to do next and how to recover and prevent further damage.

Internet Matters can provide further help and guidance and have a free online video 👉