Jefferson County, CO – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is urging parents to review their teens’ social media privacy settings after warning that popular apps may share real-time location data without users realizing it.
According to a recent post from the Sheriff’s Office, everyday features like check-ins and tagged photos can reveal a teen’s exact whereabouts, leaving them vulnerable to strangers learning their routines, stalking, or other privacy breaches.
The department specifically mentioned Snapchat’s Snap Map, Instagram’s photo tagging, Facebook’s location check-ins, and TikTok’s embedded metadata as common sources of unintentional location sharing.
Authorities recommend parents take an active role by discussing online safety with their teens, turning off unnecessary location-sharing settings, and regularly reviewing app permissions.
“Keep the conversation open,” the department advised. “Your teen should feel comfortable coming to you with questions about their online life.”
Families can also seek additional support through the Sheriff’s Office’s CHEEZO Unit, a specialized team dedicated to helping families stay safe and informed online.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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