WARNING!  Social media can be so dumb sometimes and now, it is downright scary.  I'm not sure why Facebook and Instagram are allowing this to happen but a setting was changed in both of those apps and now, people can find your exact location.  Yes, anywhere in the entire United States including Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.  Unless you love strangers possibly stalking you, stealing from you, or knowing where you are at all times, I'd highly suggest turning this off ASAP.  I'll walk you through the steps below.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
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WARNING! Facebook and Instagram Are Now Showing Your Exact Location

If you have a Facebook or Instagram account, stop what you are doing right now and check the settings on your phone.  If "precise location" is turned on, someone can find your exact location.  (BTW, mine was turned on and I had NO IDEA!)

Why is this "Precise Location" setting on Facebook and Instagram a concern?

Unfortunately, this setting is being used to help people commit crimes and could possibly put you in danger.  This is basically giving stalkers the tool to do more harm or help see if you are at home...or not.  If your entire family is on Facebook and this setting is on for everyone, they just have to look at all of your accounts to see if your home could be empty.  Or if you love to carry that expensive purse with you or you've got an expensive dog that you walk at the same time every day, it wouldn't be hard to find you.

How to change the "Precise Location" setting on Facebook and Instagram

If you don't want people to know where you are 100% of the time, walk through these steps to make sure the "Precise Location" setting is turned off on your phone.  These steps are for an iPhone but an Android should have similar settings. (And these are photos of my actual phone...as long as you can promise you won't judge me on how many text messages, voicemails, or e-mails I have, you can keep reading.  I'm a mom and life is a bit busy at the moment...it is what it is.)

Step 1:  Look for "Settings" on your phone

Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams
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Step 2:  Look for the "Facebook" app inside of the settings.  When you find it - click it.

Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams
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Step 3: Click on "Location"

Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams
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Step 4: Look towards the end of the settings to find "Precise Location".  If it is green, this is on.  (You can see that mine was on).  Turn this off (or move the white circle so it is no longer green).

Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams
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Step 5:  Just like you did in step 2 for Facebook, now we are going to check and see if the setting in turned on for Instagram.  Look for the "Instagram" app inside of the settings.  When you find it - click it.

Then, click on "Location"

Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams
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Step 6: Look towards the end of the settings to find "Precise Location".  If it is green, this is on.  (You can see that mine was on).  Turn this off (or move the white circle so it is no longer green).

Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams
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And...Meta, you've done a lot of stupid stuff lately.  This is topping the list for me.  Why in the world would you allow people to track the exact location of someone? My thoughts are immediately with all of those women who have suffered from domestic violence.  Dumb move, Meta.

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