Instagram’s New ‘Maps’ Feature

There’s a new map feature rolling out quietly on Instagram, and it’s raising some serious privacy concerns—especially for parents. It’s called Maps, and if it’s enabled, it lets people see your child’s live location within their DMs. Yes, you read that right—live location sharing, built right into the messaging section of Instagram.

I know, I know. Snapchat has had this for years. But I’m writing because it’s a new feature that people need to be aware of.

Not everyone has this feature yet, and not everyone’s version behaves the same. For some users, it’s off by default. For others, it’s mysteriously turned on without them realizing. I recorded a video and there were a lot of comments thanking me for the video, saying their location was on and the user didn’t realize it!

With kids and teens spending so much of their social time on platforms like Instagram, it’s vital that parents understand how these features work—and how to protect their children from potential risks.

How to Turn Off Instagram’s Map Feature

If your account has access to the Maps feature, here’s how you can disable it:

Open Instagram.
Go to DMs (Messages) in the top right.
At the very top of your message list, you’ll see a Map icon.
Tap it.
Then, tap Settings in the top right-hand corner.
Toggle off any location sharing settings you see there.

Note: Some accounts don’t have the feature yet—it appears to be rolling out in waves, and Instagram hasn’t issued an official announcement. That makes it even more important to check regularly and stay up-to-date.

Check this Tik Tok video that shows exactly how to disable it

Why This Matters: Online Privacy for Kids

“Kids are overprotected in real life and underprotected online.”
– Jonathan Haidt

This quote rings especially true in moments like this. We often worry about our kids walking to the store alone, but don’t realize how exposed they can be with just a few taps on their phone.

Live location sharing might seem convenient or fun, but in the wrong hands, it’s a serious safety concern. If your child isn’t careful, their location could be visible to people they barely know—or worse, people who don’t have good intentions. And unfortunately, kids aren’t always equipped to evaluate those risks.

As parents, one of the most important digital parenting moves we can make is staying educated. These features are often turned on without much notice, and platforms don’t exactly make it easy to opt out. Taking a few minutes to check settings and talk to your child about online boundaries can make a world of difference.

To stay safe, shut location sharing off right from the settings of your phones. Don’t allow apps to use your location (or be choosey with who you are sharing that info with!).

Final Thoughts

The online world is evolving faster than most of us can keep up. But that doesn’t mean we throw in the towel. It means we get informed, stay curious, and take small actions to keep our families safe. Because while we can’t bubble-wrap the internet, we can teach our kids how to navigate it with wisdom and awareness.

I went viral on TikTok that reflects these thoughts – check it out here!

If you’d like me to speak to your class, youth group, or another event, visit https://purplebeanmedia.com/speaking/.