Teens share more online, see privacy issues: Study

WASHINGTON (AFP) - American teenagers are sharing more information about themselves on social media sites, but taking steps to protect their privacy online, a study showed Tuesday.

The new survey showed 91 per cent of those surveyed posted a photo of themselves, up from 79 per cent in 2006; 71 percent post the city or town where they live; and 53 per cent posted their email address.

But the survey of youth aged 12 to 17 also found 60 per cent of Facebook users set their profiles to "private", which limits who can view their data.

And 56 per cent said it was "not difficult at all" to manage the privacy controls on their Facebook profile, according to the survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project in collaboration with Harvard's Berkman Center.