Several child protection groups are warning that Snapchat91裸聊视频檚 new location-sharing feature could allow predators to more easily track young people.
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection and the digital literacy group MediaSmarts are among the organizations raising concerns about 91裸聊视频淪nap Maps91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频� an opt-in feature that shares a user91裸聊视频檚 location on a map.
Experts say child predators who befriend young users could use the feature to figure out where they live, go to school, the route they walk every day, and eventually build up a picture of their routine.
The feature was included in a recent update to the social media app, which is especially popular with teens. It lets users send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after a set period of time.
RELATED:
Users can select who can see where they are 91裸聊视频� whether that be all friends, a select group, or no one, also known as 91裸聊视频淕host Mode.91裸聊视频�
Earlier this week, the Winnipeg-based Canadian Centre for Child Protection issued an alert through its Cybertip.ca program about Snap Maps, saying users may not realize it updates their location each time they open the app, even when they91裸聊视频檙e not sharing stories.
The group also urges parents to talk to their kids about keeping their location private and ensuring their 91裸聊视频渇riends91裸聊视频� on Snapchat 91裸聊视频� and all social media91裸聊视频� are people they have met in person.
Thierry Plante of the Ottawa-based MediaSmarts points to the 91裸聊视频渢roubling consequences91裸聊视频� of allowing others to know your location.
91裸聊视频淚t becomes a very useful tracking tool for somebody who has other intentions,91裸聊视频� says Plante.
91裸聊视频淧arents do need to be very present in the digital lives of their children and have the conversation about how to use that feature, whether or not that feature is something they should be using or not, and then together 91裸聊视频� if you have decided to use it, how to set the feature in a way to minimize that risk.91裸聊视频�
Childnet International also released a statement about the feature last week.
91裸聊视频淕iven how specific this new feature is on Snapchat 91裸聊视频� giving your location to a precise pinpoint on a map 91裸聊视频� we would encourage users not to share their location, especially with people they don91裸聊视频檛 know in person,91裸聊视频� the group said in a statement.
A Snapchat spokesperson said in a statement that 91裸聊视频渢he safety of our community is very important to us91裸聊视频� and stressed that using Snap Map 91裸聊视频渋s completely optional.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淪napchatters can choose exactly who they want to share their location with, if at all, and can change that setting at any time. It91裸聊视频檚 also not possible to share your location with someone who isn91裸聊视频檛 already your friend on Snapchat, and the majority of interactions on Snapchat take place between close friends,91裸聊视频� reads the statement.
Snapchat has an online parents guide offering tips on keeping teens safe while using the app, as well as an online 91裸聊视频渟afety center91裸聊视频� where anyone can report a safety concern.
Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press
Like us on and follow us on .
