Snapchat location concern

Children in Rutherglen and Cambuslang are being warned not to advertise their location on Snapchat.

NSPCC Scotland say sharing their location could leave them vulnerable to grooming, stalking and bullying. The warning comes after the photo-sharing app released a new map feature.

In the past five week, NSPCC’s Glasgow childline base received 48 calls from young people across the UK feeling bullied, upset or having been exposed to online sexual abuse on the photo sharing service.

NSPCC child safety online expert Rose Bray said: “Even limiting Snap Maps to the ‘friends only’ setting is risky if those contacts include people you don’t know.

“This highlights why it’s vital the government forces social networks to offer Safe Accounts to under-18s, with the highest privacy settings and location settings locked off.

“It is important parents have regular conversations with young people about staying safe online, and making sure that they know how to protect their privacy.

“The NSPCC’s share aware materials online can help parents to start these conversations.”