'Next level creepy': Parents warned over 'invasive' Snapchat update

Snapchat have unveiled a new feature that allows users to share their location with friends in real time.

The social media giant claim the new setting is intended to give users “a whole new way to explore the world”, however there has so far been an overwhelmingly negative reaction to the initiative.

The update automatically has location sharing switched on unless users switch to “ghost mode”.

Social media users and parent groups are now fearing the “invasive” feature could pose a risk to youngsters and leave them exposed to predators.

“This Snapchat update is actually insane, I suggest everyone turns off their location because this is actually unsafe,” one woman wrote on Twitter.

"Snapchat update is next level creepy, they can't get away with this can they?" another unsatisfied social media user wrote.

“How much you wanna bet a man, who has never had to fear for his safety and privacy, is responsible for this snapchat update,” another added.

Facebook page Social+ issued a firm warning to parents that they should immediately activate ghost mode.

“Snapchat has introduced a new tracker in the update where you can view the exact location of your friends. It can give you the area, town, and street and if you zoom in enough, it shows the house on the street layout,”

"Please share this to make people are aware, Snapchat has a lot of young users on, if your children are on please check that they have there location set to Ghost mode, that way no one can see where they are.”

Other social media users envisioned a few possible scenarios that may come as a result of the feature.