TEENS are putting themselves at risk from internet predators by posting personal information on their MySpace pages.

Randomly visiting MySpace profiles, the Herald Sun discovered scores of young Victorians posting their dates of birth, surnames, suburbs, high schools and workplaces.

Some even post mobile phone numbers and personal email addresses in comments to "friends".

Internet safety experts said social networking sites were more dangerous than chat rooms and urged parents to remain vigilant online.

Using profile details, the Herald Sun was able to find home phone numbers and addresses for five Melbourne girls, aged 16 and 17, in an hour.

More than 80 per cent of Australians of that age use social networking websites, a recent survey by Lifelounge found.

A 17-year-old Williamstown girl had posted her mobile phone number and enough information for the Herald Sun to call her parents at home.

"You're joking," her father said. "I know she has a MySpace page but I certainly didn't know all that."

The father of a 17-year-old Strathmore girl was stunned the Herald Sun could track down his daughter with data she had innocently displayed.

The girl had included her full name, date of birth and school on her profile.

In earlier phone calls to the address, the Herald Sun was told by a child that they were alone in the house until dark.

"I'm surprised you've been able to do it that easily," the father said.

"I didn't know she had so much information on there . . . she's normally a very responsible child."

Barbara Biggs, internet safety advocate and author of Chatroom, said social networking sites were the next big threat to child online safety.

Internet predators were drawn to profiles, as children often posted photos and other details.

"It's much more dangerous than being on a chat room, in my view," Ms Biggs said.

"The information is constantly up there for predators to simply go looking for the qualities they're after.

"They can see if they live in the area, their hobbies and interests. And they don't even have to ask."

Though teens have been brought up with the internet, they don't take note of safety warnings because they mostly use computers at home where they feel safe, Ms Biggs said.

Federal government body Netalert renewed its call for parents to become involved and talk to their children to keep up with their online contacts.