Snapchat have recently announced the release of a new feature: Snapchat live location sharing. It will allow users to share their real-time location with friends via the app, expanding their existing Snap Map feature that launched in 2017.

The Snap Map is a location sharing feature of Snapchat, which uses real time location to show users where you are and what building you are in.

It is not currently clear when the new live feature will be launched globally and at the time of publishing, it is not yet available.

Source: Snapchat

The new Snapchat feature is essentially a virtual ‘buddy system’. It’s been released as part of the platform’s partnership with It’s On Us, an American government initiative for sexual assault education and prevention on US university campuses. However, the feature is expected to be rolled out globally and it’s unclear if the American-based partnership will be highlighted elsewhere.

The existing Snap Map feature has allowed users to share their location since it was added to the app in 2017. However, unlike the Snap Map feature, the new Live Location tool gives a more specific location that’s updated live and will run even if the app is closed.

Snap Inc, the company behind Snapchat, has launched the tool as a security and safeguarding measure.

Source: Twitter

The feature is designed to be used by close friends and family who want to share their location. For example, if two friends are meeting up in a busy location, then Snapchat Live Location can help them to find each other easily.

Its main use, however, is likely to be as a safety measure. For example, if a user is walking somewhere alone, this feature could provide extra reassurance to a friend or parent and to themselves. It can also be used by friends who are travelling home to separate houses and want to ensure the other is home safe.

For young people, feeling like they are connected with their friends is important – in-person and online. In a digital world where many friendships are created, sustained and showcased entirely online, any avenue for further connection is likely to be a hit with young people.

Snapchat’s Live Location will also hold a novelty factor, especially in a time when face-to-face connections and interactions have been sorely lacking. Connection is more important than ever to young people, so seeing what their friend is up to and sharing their activities will have a fun factor element.

Over 250 million users use the Snap Map feature every month.

Source: Snap Inc

It’s important to note that this feature must be enabled on a use-by-use basis; it will be turned off by default and users will be required to opt-in.

This new feature has been created by Snapchat to mitigate risks, but with any location sharing app or platform there is always potential for abuse.

Location sharing should only be used with trusted friends and family members. However, it is possible that a young person could be coerced or pressured into enabling the feature with someone they don’t know in person. For example, when setting up a meeting with someone for the first time that they’ve met online or on a dating app.

Even with someone they know in real life, there are still risks. Young People who are in unhealthy relationships or friendships could be forced to share their location as part of a controlling behaviour. This includes those who are victims of domestic abuse from parents, carers, or other adults in their life.

There is also the prospect of someone screenshotting, using a second device to capture location information, or sharing this information with others, without the user’s knowledge or consent. This could result in bullying, stalking, or loss of control of personal information. For example, if a user was attending a private or sensitive personal appointment such as a medical appointment, the location information could be used to bully, bribe, or belittle them.

There is also the potential for this to be used by more than one person through screenshotting and information sharing, for example if a young person is being bullied by a group or forced into doing things that they don’t want to do, including illegal activities.

There have been previous concerns regarding Snapchat’s original map sharing feature, Snap Map. In one reported case, a child sex abuser was convicted after using the tool to target and force young girls into sending child sexual abuse imagery.