What Parents Need to Know About Instagram’s New Map Feature
- The White Hatter
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Instagram has introduced a new feature called "Instagram Map", allowing users to share their real-time location with friends, see others on the map, and discover places and posts nearby. This feature works much like Snapchat’s Snap Map, raising some important safety and privacy considerations for parents and caregivers.
Note: This application if “off by default” and must be activated by the user
What Is Instagram Map?
Instagram Map is a location sharing feature found in the Direct Message (DM) section of the app. Once enabled, it allows users to:
Share their live location with friends
See which friends are nearby
Discover public posts and locations
Explore what’s happening in their area
This tool is meant to increase social interaction and location based discovery, but it also creates potential privacy concerns, especially for younger users.
Here’s how the feature is enabled:
#1 Update the Instagram App
Users need to ensure the app is updated through the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android). If there’s an update available, the button will say “Update".
#2 Open Instagram and Access DMs
After updating, open Instagram and tap the Direct Messages icon(DMs) in the top right corner of the screen (circle with lightning bolt)
#3 Tap on the Map Icon
A new Map icon will appear in the top tray. Tapping it opens the feature and prompts users to turn on location sharing.
#4 Choose Who Can See Their Location
Instagram offers four visibility options:
Friends
Close friends
Only these friends (private use)
No One
#5 Grant Location Permissions
If location access hasn’t already been granted to Instagram, the app will prompt the user to enable it in device settings.
Once this setup is complete, the user’s location can be seen by others they’ve given permission to, and vice versa.
What Parents and Caregivers Should Consider
This feature adds another layer of social visibility that could be misused if not understood or monitored. Here are some things to talk to your teen about:
Encourage your child to limit who can see their location. “Friends you follow back” might sound safe, but they may not know all these people personally.
Suggest using the "Only You" setting if they want to see nearby places without broadcasting their own location.
Talk about respecting others’ privacy. Just because a friend shares their location doesn’t mean it’s an open invite to show up unannounced.
Explain the risks of location sharing, especially in unfamiliar areas or late at night.
Instagram’s Map feature isn’t inherently harmful, but like all tech tools, it depends on how it's used. As with any new update, it’s a good opportunity to sit down with your teen and review privacy settings, discuss boundaries, and keep the conversation about digital safety ongoing.
If your teen is using Instagram, ask them if they’ve seen this new feature. A simple, “Hey, have you seen the new map on Instagram?” can be a natural opening to a bigger conversation about location sharing and safety online.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
