• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Snapchat warning issued to parents over ‘location’ feature children use on the app

Home> Life> Parenting

Updated 12:25 5 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 10:58 4 Jul 2024 GMT+1

Snapchat warning issued to parents over ‘location’ feature children use on the app

Parents have been warned over the serious privacy issue

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

Any parent out there will know it can be hard sometimes to keep track of everything your kids are doing on their phones.

From keeping up with the latest text lingo, the newest social media crazes and even the way they use their apps - it's clear many parents can be totally clueless about what their children get up to when they're not watching.

So, to help raise some awareness on the matter, one woman has issued a serious Snapchat warning to parents and caregivers over the app's 'location' feature.

Parents have been issued with an urgent Snapchat warning. (Tatiana Meteleva / Getty Images)
Parents have been issued with an urgent Snapchat warning. (Tatiana Meteleva / Getty Images)

Advert

Now, in case you're not familiar with the popular social media platform, Snapchat is mostly used for creating multimedia messages called 'Snaps' to other users.

These 'Snaps' can consist of a photo or a short video, and can be edited to include filters and effects, text captions, and drawings.

However, another feature of the app is 'Snap Map' which uses your phone's location to locate others on a virtual map that is visible to other Snapchat users.

It's an opt-in feature, meaning that users are required to choose who can see their location on the map e.g. only choosing selected friends and family.

Advert

The privacy options include; My friends, Only me ('Ghost Mode'), or Selected friends.

Users can then see where their contacts are located and vice versa.

They can also view Snaps and stories from other Snapchat users, including those posted at a specific event or location.

Snap Maps also users to view each other's location. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / Contributor / Getty Images)
Snap Maps also users to view each other's location. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / Contributor / Getty Images)

Advert

One woman has now shared a warning on the feature, urging other parents to closely monitor how their kids are using the app.

Writing on the FAMILY LOWDOWN TIPS & IDEAS group on Facebook, which currently boasts 1.2 million members, the 'serious post' urged 'parents with teenagers' to read carefully.

It begins: "Kids are putting their Snapchat location on & using the exact location setting to 'link up'.

"Meaning that there’s kids with their precise location on Snapchat & using it to locate others in any area. Meeting people they don’t know.

Advert

"Unfortunately we all know that not only kids will be using this feature & I fear for what might happen if parents are unaware. Predators are now able more than ever to gain access to children."

The woman warned others over 'predators' using the app. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / Contributor / Getty Images)
The woman warned others over 'predators' using the app. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / Contributor / Getty Images)

The woman continued: "If there are any secondary school teachers/youth mentors or anyone involved with teens amongst us maybe a letter/email could be sent out to parents to make them aware of what’s going on."

She then urged parents to check their children's Snapchat accounts and make sure their locations were turned off.

Advert

"You can use apps like 'family link' to keep an eye on their phones and make sure appropriate things are being accessed," she added.

"I’m sure most people know but as we get older we know less of what young kids do and how apps like Snapchat are progressing."

A Snapchat spokesperson told Tyla: "We want Snapchatters to have a safe and positive experience, and by design, location sharing on Snap Map is switched off by default. If Snapchatters choose to share their location, they are only visible to their friends, and they are not able to share their location with strangers.

"We then regularly remind them of their choice to make sure they are still comfortable with sharing their location. We also provide extra safety features for 13-17 year olds, including showing a pop-up warning if they are contacted by someone they don’t know."

Featured Image Credit: Carl Court/Getty Images/Cavan Images/Getty Images

Topics: Parenting, Social Media, Technology, iPhone, Advice, Life

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

15 hours ago
16 hours ago
19 hours ago
22 hours ago
  • Getty Stock ImageGetty Stock Image
    15 hours ago

    New study reveals why 'healthy' people have heart attacks and strokes

    Paul Ridker - preventive cardiologist at Mass General Brigham's Heart and Vascular Institute - opened up on the unnerving correlation

    Life
  • BBCBBC
    16 hours ago

    Parents left in tears after discovering 'secret message' from son who died of cancer 15 years ago

    John and Margaret Irvin appeared on the BBC's 'The Repair Shop' this week

    Life
  • Getty ImagesGetty Images
    19 hours ago

    Doctor warns of 7 'normal' symptoms you should never ignore

    Dr Kaywaan Khan, a GP from Hannah London, recently opened up on some sinister conditions which might present pretty normal symptoms

    Life
  • Robert Prange/Getty ImagesRobert Prange/Getty Images
    22 hours ago

    Tennis player defended for blunt reaction to bizarre hair question at US Open

    People have rushed to social media to call out the 'stupid' question that a reporter asked Polish tennis star, Iga Swiatek

    Life
  • Warning issued to anyone who uses calculator app on their iPhone
  • Warning issued to anyone in US trying to use TikTok after its ‘immediate shutdown’ this weekend
  • Dentist issues warning over disturbing side-effect of pregnancy that no one talks about
  • Disturbing warning issued to anyone who has their read receipts on