Her age is immaterial. Yes, she was the national butt of jokes. She was going to lose her job for giving out information. She was a national joke and about to be unemployed too because of that call.
It was totally malicious.
I suppose you are appalled by all the pranks Steve Allen pulled on “The Tonight Show”? Did “Candid Camera” offend your politically-correct sensibilities?
She was a foolish young girl who could have quickly lived down this embarrassment. Poor, silly girl.