Social Media Safety / Glossary

Doxxing

Doxxing is when someone finds and publishes another person's private information online, such as their full name, address, school or phone number, without permission.

The information is often pieced together from small clues: a school uniform in a photo, a location tag, a username used on several apps, or details friends have posted.

Doxxing is used to scare, harass or shame someone, and it can put their safety at risk. Sharing someone's private details to hurt them can also break the law.

You can make it harder by keeping accounts private, turning off location sharing and not posting your school or address. If you are doxxed, save evidence, report it and tell a trusted adult.