Snapchat is hugely popular with Irish teenagers but the most recent feature is causing concern among parents.

In 2017, Omnicore reported that Ireland was the top country for Snapchat Usage based on percentage usage by adults in each market. 

Last week, Snapchat released a statement on their website to launch their new Snap Map feature and its causing concern amongst parents.:

"We've built a whole new way to explore the world! See what's happening, find your friends, and get inspired to go on an adventure!"

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With the Snap Map, you can view snapshots of your friends activities along with their location. If two users follow each other, they can share their locations and see where the other is and what they are doing. The idea being that users can stay up to date with their friend's lives and meet up easily.
 
Who can see your location?

  • Only the people you choose can see your location. However, if you send a snap to your 'Story', the Map may still appear.
  • Snap Map will only update your location while you are using the app - it won't update when you have the app closed.
  • Your location on the Map will expire after several hours, or as soon as you go into Ghost Mode. 

There are options to hide your location:

  • Only Me (Ghost Mode): Your location won’t be visible to anyone else on the Map.
  • My Friends: Your location will be visible to all your followers.
  • Select Friends…: Choose specific followers to share your location with.

How do I turn off my location altogether?
To turn off your location altogether, go to your phone's settings and find 'Snapchat' then click on 'location', and choose to never share.

The reaction so far:

From the funny:


To the uncomfortable:
Some users have been caught off guard as they were unaware that checking a user's location would send them a notification...

"I legit JUST clicked every single bitmoji on the snapmap & I didn't know it told ppl I checked their location lmfao i'm so sorry"

"Damn I was checkin everybodies bit emojis on snapmap not knowing it sends them a notification now I feel like a weirdo"

Michael Carrasco‏: "When ur friends said there wasn't a party but the #snapmap was stacked at one person's house."

To the genuinely grateful: 
Sash: "Now ya man can't cheat and lie about where he at because Snapchat got the receipts."

To the positive:
While others have used the app to momentarily travel the world.

"Ahhh favourite #snapmap moment so far - clicking on Uganda & seeing my old town! Haven't been in 9 yrs @Snapchat took me in > 9 secs"

To the genuinely worried:
While others are concerned over the safety of sharing their location online with followers.

"this new @Snapchat update is AWFUL. An invitation for stalkers, kidnappers, burglars & relationship trust issues...#snapmap"

"App could place kids at risk.Find my Friend shows location on a map. - ghost mode should be default!"

"The new snapchat map thing is so dangerous for children and everyone to be honest. Why would you want everyone knowing where you are?"

.

"Is this really how we want our children to be found? #Snapchat Adds New #SnapMap Feature to Help Improve Connection https://shar.es/1BYtI6" 

"#Snapchat’s #Snap Map may put children in danger; Preston" ... 

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