A new SnapChat feature may be cause for concern for some parents.

The app now allows its users to share their location on a map and to view other's location at any time.

"If you and a friend follow one another, you can share your locations with each other so you can see where they’re at and what’s going on around them! Plus, meeting up can be a cinch 📍

Only the people you choose can see your location — so if you’re friends with your boss, you can still keep your location on the down low during a “sick day” 😉 Snaps you submit to Our Story can still show up on the Map, though!"

While the feature may be useful for older users, parents of younger children may have alarm bells ringing with some of the language used to describe the feature.

Children do not always understand the dangers of interacting with strangers online and may unintentionally share their exact location with people they do not know.

This means that Snapchat users who your child has linked with can access your child's exact location at all times and build an idea of your child's typical day.

The 'Snap Map' feature requires users to opt in in order to turn it on but the method to opt in could be accidentally triggered by a child.

On the main photo screen, users must pinch the screen, as if you're zooming out. The Snap Map will then ask if you would like to turn on the map feature.

There is a way to turn the location feature off called 'Ghost Mode'. In order to this, you must access your child's SnapChat account and enter the map feature. You will then see a settings icon in the top right hand corner and you can then choose Ghost Mode from the menu.

Once you have enterd Ghost Mode, your child's location will no longer show up on the map however SnapChat will still be able to track locations.

If you would like to know more about limiting your child's visibilty on the map feature, read this article.

Currently, the minimum age for SnapChat is 13, however the app only asks for a date of birth on sign up and no confirmation of this date is needed so many children can access the app easily.

Read more about SnapChat and Kids here.

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