Parental Tips

Kids today live in a world vastly different from the one we grew up in. Their online life isn’t just about what they post — it’s about where they are when they post.

New features like Instagram’s Map and Snap Map make it easier than ever to share real-time location. But with that convenience comes risk. When your child’s location becomes visible, predators can piece together their address, habits, and even real-time movements.

Why Location Sharing Matters

• Address & routine exposure. A single post with geotagging or live location could reveal where your child lives, goes to school, and spends time.
• Predators gain power. When location is public, bad actors with malicious intent can gain valuable personal information about children, attempt to groom them, or predict where they’ll be.
• False sense of safety. Many teens assume location features are off or only visible to friends, but settings can change, updates can override, and default behaviors can shift.

Instagram’s new Map feature, for example, allows users to share their location with followers, updating their position whenever they open the app or bring it to the foreground. 

Likewise, Snapchat’s Snap Map also offers live location sharing. While location sharing is off by default, users can give permission for continuous tracking (background location) or only while the app is open.

How to Disable App-Based Location Services on iPhone

Here are steps parents can follow to turn off or limit location sharing:

iPhone Settings

On your iPhone, open Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → select the App that shares location and set it to “Never”.  

Android Settings

On your Android, open Settings → tap Location → toggle the Use Location switch to the off position.

Instagram

In the Instagram app: tap the Map icon in DMs → tap Settings (gear icon) → under Location Settings, choose “No One” to stop sharing.

Snapchat 

Open Snapchat → tap Snap Map icon → tap settings (cog icon) → enable Ghost Mode. You can set it to last indefinitely or for a set period.

Privacy Is Protection: How to Talk With Your Child

Disabling location doesn’t have to mean completely banning apps or instilling fear. It’s about giving your child the privacy and protection they deserve. Here’s how to approach it:

• Explain the “why.” Help your child understand that location sharing can expose private details to people they don’t know.
• Offer safer alternatives. Instead of live posting, suggest that they share photos with timestamps only, send private messages to trusted friends, or use group albums with close contacts.
• Check together. Make it a joint activity to review location settings; teach them how, rather than doing it behind their backs.
• Model healthy behavior. Show restraint with your own location sharing. Your approach to screens and social apps teaches them what’s safe and appropriate.

Your child’s location isn’t just a dot on a map; it’s part of their identity, routine, and security. By taking these steps to intentionally manage location sharing and teaching children about digital boundaries, parents can help their kids navigate online spaces more safely and confidently.

Open conversations, clear rules, and consistent modeling of safe behavior help children understand that their digital footprint matters and that they have control over it. Remember, technology is constantly evolving, and staying informed is key to keeping your family safe. For more tips, guidance, and resources to protect your children in the digital world, visit our Education page.