How location-sharing features can put children at risk and practical steps to manage location privacy across devices and apps.
Many apps and devices share a child's location — sometimes without their knowledge. Social media posts, geotagged photos, location-based features in games, and tracking apps can all reveal where a child is in real time. This information, if accessible to the wrong person, creates serious safety risks.
Location data can be embedded in photos (EXIF data), shared through features like Snapchat's Snap Map, broadcast via live location sharing in messaging apps, or exposed through check-ins and public posts. Even apps that do not seem location-focused may request and share location data in the background. A combination of location data points can build a detailed picture of a child's routines and movements.
1. Audit location permissions
Go through your child's device settings and review which apps have access to location data. Disable location access for any app that does not genuinely need it, and set others to 'only while using the app'.
2. Disable photo geotagging
Turn off location services for the camera app so that photos do not contain embedded location data that could be extracted by others.
3. Discuss location-sharing features
Make sure your child understands features like Snap Map, Find My, and live location sharing. Agree that these should only ever be shared with trusted family members.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-19