Privacy, Please! | Resources | Press and Reviews | About

"Every child deserves to know that it’s okay to want privacy. Privacy, Please! gives them the words and confidence to ask for it." — Stacey Higginbotham, Policy Fellow at Consumer Reports

"A thoughtful introduction to the concept of privacy. A great tool to spark discussion between children and adults about what privacy is and what it really means." — Chris Haughton, Children’s book author and illustrator

Sometimes I want to be alone. I don't want anyone to see me, hear me, or come too close. That's called privacy — and everyone needs it now and then.

From finding a quiet corner to read, to whispering secrets with a best friend, to staying safe online, this warm and reassuring book helps children ages 4-6 understand what privacy means and why it matters.

Through relatable moments and engaging illustrations, young readers learn that privacy isn't just about keeping secrets — it's about having space for their own thoughts, feelings, and special moments. This book is perfect for starting conversations about personal boundaries, body autonomy, and digital safety.

This book was inspired by Dr. Cranor's Privacy Illustrated project, which invited people ages 5 to 91 to draw what privacy means to them. Many of the youngest participants drew doors, bedrooms, bathrooms, or favorite hiding places — reminding us that children experience privacy as something concrete, comforting, and personal. Those insights shaped the words and pictures in this book.

Resources for Parents and Teachers

This story introduces privacy in ways children ages 4-6 can understand. Read it together and use the words and images to start conversations about personal space, boundaries, and feeling safe.

• Spot examples: Look for characters who protect their privacy—or who might be invading someone else's.
• Talk about feelings: How does it feel when someone comes into your space without asking? How does privacy help you feel calm or safe?
• Explore reasons for privacy: Talk about times when we might keep things private — like enjoying a surprise, sharing a secret with a friend, or having time alone to think.
• Find balance: Sometimes it feels good to share our thoughts or open our doors. How do we decide when we're ready?
• Create privacy together: Even if young children can't close doors for safety reasons, they can still find small ways to have privacy – like sitting in a quiet reading nook, listening to music with headphones, or taking a few deep breaths alone.

As children begin to use technology, you can build on these early lessons by discussing how privacy works online — what information is safe to share, and how to protect it. Parents may also reflect on ways to protect their own privacy as role models. Here are some useful guides to help parents keep their kids safe online: Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online, Heads Up: Stop. Think. Connect.

Discussions and activities

• Discussion and activity guide for parents, teachers, and caregivers to gain insights about privacy and start discussions with children
• Door hanger activity - children (and adults) can make their own door hanger to let everyone know when they need some privacy

More privacy resources

• Daniel J. Solove has written a privacy book for children age 7-12 called The EyeMonger and offers some privacy resources for educators and parents
• At what age should children get cell phones? There are a lot of opinions on this, but Common Sense Media and the American Academy of Pediatrics offer some sound advice
• Consumer Reports offers an online Digital Security & Privacy guide that helps you get a personalized plan to keep your data secure
• Electronic Frontier Foundation offers free online privacy protection tools as well as information on a wider range of privacy technology and public policy topics
• Center for Democracy & Technology offers information about privacy law and technology, including information on student privacy
• Future of Privacy Forum offers information on many privacy-related issues, including youth and education privacy
• Electronic Privacy Information Center offers lots of information about public policy issues, legislation, and court cases related to privacy, including information about children's privacy and student privacy
• noyb offers information about exercising privacy rights in the European Union

About the Author and Illustrator

Lorrie Faith Cranor brings both professional expertise and mom wisdom to Privacy, Please! As a professor and director of the CyLab Security and Privacy Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, as well a parent who's raised three kids through the social media revolution, she understands the daily privacy challenges families face — from "Why can't I post this photo?" to "Why do I have to knock?" Over her thirty-year career, she's studied how people understand and manage their privacy and has helped shape how privacy is taught and protected around the world. Work from her research team has influenced password requirements, security awareness training, and the California privacy choice icon. Dr. Cranor plays soccer, sews her own clothes with pockets, and tries not to embarrass her three young adult children.

Alena Karabach is a freelance designer and illustrator from Belarus. When she was in high school, she loved spending all her free time in art class and graduated with a Masters Degree in Surface Design 6 years later. Alena loves painting with watercolor, flowers, and baking. She loves travelling and exploring new places. She has travelled all around the world and settled in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this dream a reality: my family, friends, and colleagues who encouraged me and offered many suggestions; the educators at the Carnegie Mellon Children's School who gave me lots of useful feedback that improved the book substantially; and Lainey Davis, who guided me through the self-publishing process.

 Privacy, Please! | Resources | Press and Reviews | About