Snapchat "Snap Map" Safety

Snapchat is probably the hourly caregivers social websites platforms among younger people, with approximately 150 million daily active users. While Snapchat is built to become a fun photo, video and txt messaging app, a number of features-particularly the Snap Map function-pose serious safety concerns.

What is Snap Map?

Introduced from a June 2017 update, Snap Map allows users to express their exact place with regards to their friends in the Snapchat app. Snap Map gathers location data employing a smartphone’s GPS sensor and displays the time of day individuals was at a specialized location with his fantastic or her speed of travel. This information is shown on a map which really can be accessed if a user first opens Snapchat and pinches the screen to zoom out.
While Snapchat users can make to discuss their location with selected friends, any posts users share on Snapchat’s “Our Story” feature looks over the global map irrespective of their privacy or location settings.

Safety Concerns

As with lots of apps which use geolocation features, privacy may be a major concern. Many fear the Snap Map feature opens users as many as the chance of stalking, burglary or kidnapping, particularly because locations in Snap Map may very well be because of exact addresses.

Safety Tips

• Edit your local area settings by clicking the device icon in the Snapchat app. From there, scroll as a result of the “See My Location” tab and turn on “Ghost Mode.” This will prevent others from seeing your local area.
• Be mindful of what you are sharing on Snapchat, in order to avoid providing your exact place online.

Safety First

Snapchat is a popular app for young kids. Therefore, it is critical for folks to schedule an appointment their kids about online safety. Children needs to be instructed to avoid sharing their whereabouts on any social network app, even though they assume the information is only viewable by close friends.
Should you have other safety concerns associated with Snapchat, you’ll be able to submit them on the company here.
? 2017 Zywave, Inc.