Letter to the Editor

To the Editor

Parents and carers of young or vulnerable people may not be aware that a recent update of the popular Snapchat app allows the exact location of users to be seen in real time and tracked over virtual maps using the platform’s “Snap Map” feature.

While location services can be used to help parents and carers know where someone is for safety reasons, there is also a concern that other people on the app, who the user has never met in real life, could use these changes to enable online abuse. 

We encourage parents and carers to have frequent open and honest discussions with their children about the types of apps, games, social media and online services they are using, particularly as they’ll be spending more time online over the school holidays. 

It’s a good idea to ask your children who they are friends with online, who they follow, who follows them and make sure they know not to accept requests from strangers.  

By checking they have strong privacy settings in place, you can also help ensure strangers can’t see their content or engage with them without permission. For example, Snapchat allows users to disable one’s whereabouts and turn off the “precise location” option in phone settings. 

Childline counsellors are available around the clock to speak to children and young people who have any concerns or queries about their experiences online, and to offer support and advice. 

The NSPCC has lots of advice and information on its Online Safety Hub at nspcc.org.uk/online-safety where you can find out how to check device settings to ensure your children are kept safer online. 

And if children aren’t comfortable speaking to you about their online experiences, there’s information on the Childline website, and our counsellors are available around the clock on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk

Mubashar Khaliq

Local Campaigns Manager

NSPCC Cymru/Wales