Several child protection groups are warning that SnapchatB次元官网网址檚 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 B次元官网网址淪nap MapsB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� an opt-in feature that shares a userB次元官网网址檚 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.

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Users can select who can see where they are B次元官网网址� whether that be all friends, a select group, or no one, also known as B次元官网网址淕host Mode.B次元官网网址�

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 theyB次元官网网址檙e not sharing stories.

The group also urges parents to talk to their kids about keeping their location private and ensuring their B次元官网网址渇riendsB次元官网网址� on Snapchat B次元官网网址� and all social mediaB次元官网网址� are people they have met in person.

Thierry Plante of the Ottawa-based MediaSmarts points to the B次元官网网址渢roubling consequencesB次元官网网址� of allowing others to know your location.

B次元官网网址淚t becomes a very useful tracking tool for somebody who has other intentions,B次元官网网址� says Plante.

B次元官网网址淧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 B次元官网网址� if you have decided to use it, how to set the feature in a way to minimize that risk.B次元官网网址�

Childnet International also released a statement about the feature last week.

B次元官网网址淕iven how specific this new feature is on Snapchat B次元官网网址� giving your location to a precise pinpoint on a map B次元官网网址� we would encourage users not to share their location, especially with people they donB次元官网网址檛 know in person,B次元官网网址� the group said in a statement.

A Snapchat spokesperson said in a statement that B次元官网网址渢he safety of our community is very important to usB次元官网网址� and stressed that using Snap Map B次元官网网址渋s completely optional.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淪napchatters can choose exactly who they want to share their location with, if at all, and can change that setting at any time. ItB次元官网网址檚 also not possible to share your location with someone who isnB次元官网网址檛 already your friend on Snapchat, and the majority of interactions on Snapchat take place between close friends,B次元官网网址� reads the statement.

Snapchat has an online parents guide offering tips on keeping teens safe while using the app, as well as an online B次元官网网址渟afety centerB次元官网网址� where anyone can report a safety concern.

Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press

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