Your location refers to where you are and devices often track this in the background even when you don’t have internet or reception. These location-based services are found on most smart devices including phones and use technology to pinpoint the location of your device, and therefore you!
Questions you may have
This can be done in several ways. Most commonly, phones use GPS which means they use satellites to work out where you are even if you don’t have data or phone reception. Your phone also uses systems like the internet to learn your exact location.
Your location can be used in lots of different ways. On social media, people often check in to places to show their followers where they are and what they are doing. If you’ve ever used maps to find somewhere, this uses your location to give you directions. Online searches for things nearby such as shops, cinemas, bowling alleys, etc, will also use your location to show you options near to you.
Some apps and social media accounts allow you to share your location with other people- your friends, your family or even strangers, who you only know online. Be very sure you are only sharing your location with people you know offline. Checking in at home tells people when you are home but also where your home is, which can be dangerous. This is the same for checking in at a friend’s house or at school.
Even if the location isn’t an important one, there are always risks involved with sharing your live location (where you are at that exact moment), especially when that information can be seen by strangers. If you often check in to the same locations, it could give someone a clear picture of your usual movements, which could lead to safety concerns.
There are lots of great ways to use location services! These include finding things near you or getting directions. Your location can even help when checking the weather!
Just be sure you are very clear on why and how your location will be used, how long for and who can see it. Always ask an adult you know and trust for help if you are unsure.
You can manage how location is used and shared in your privacy or general settings on your device and on some apps. In your device settings you should be able to completely switch off location services or you can manage whether individual apps have permission to know your location. Some apps, like map apps, will need to know where you are to work properly, but others (social media and most games) do not need this information. You could also look at your privacy settings on social media services and gaming accounts to check how your location might be shared.
Yes! You can manage how location information is shared and used through individual apps. For example, on social media services you can choose which audiences you want to share location information with, if any. Some apps, like map apps, will need to know where you are to work properly, but others (social media and most games) do not need this information.
Often, your social media and other accounts are linked together. This can mean if updates on one service or social network are linked to a public account, you may be sharing your location with a larger audience than you think. Make sure all your accounts are only visible to trusted friends. If an app doesn’t need location services to work, it is a good idea to have them turned off. You can find out more about apps and their privacy settings here.
The best thing you can do is to politely ask your friend to take down the post or delete the location information from it. Often, people don’t realise they are being pinpointed at an exact location. Another good idea is to set up your privacy settings so you have to approve anything before it appears on your profile or account. You can also remove tags on social media sites.
Top Tips
- Use privacy and account settings to manage your location sharing. On mobile devices you can usually turn off location services for all apps within the ‘general settings’ menu.
- If you want to tag a photo or event in a particular location, try and wait until later to do so. That way you’re not sharing your live location.
- Avoid building up a picture of your average week. Checking in regularly from the same locations can give people a picture of your movements and lead to safety concerns.
- Watch out for friends who may accidentally post your location information too, for example by checking in with you or tagging you in a post. If it happens don’t panic- remove the tag or ask them to take it down. You may also be able to use privacy settings to limit or prevent tagging entirely.
- Make sure all linked accounts are only visible to friends you know in real life.