Understanding the risks of sharing your location on social media is crucial, as it can be the difference between life and death. Stalkers, whether someone you know or a stranger, pose a serious threat.

As the holiday season approaches and more people travel, the vulnerability of your valuables increases. Your location being public puts you at risk of unwanted visitors, and criminals may exploit this information to know when to break in and steal your belongings.

Sharing your location exposes you to potential dangers. Anyone viewing your social media posts could find you in person. For those with children, their inadvertent location sharing on social media increases the risk of unwanted contact from strangers.

Geolocation tags can divulge your exact address, not just the city or general area you’re in. Ad tracking, a seemingly omniscient force, uses your personal data for targeted ads. This includes details such as your full name, birth date, address, income, and, due to location tracking, your hometown and regular haunts. Cybercriminals may exploit this information, with the average person’s data available on more than 30 sites.

Fitness watches, seemingly innocuous, also pose risks. Those connected to apps sharing your outdoor exercise routes create patterns over time, potentially compromising your security.

To share your location safely, limit access to only your most trusted loved ones. Location sharing is more beneficial in unfamiliar surroundings or when traveling alone, ensuring your loved ones know you’re safe. In other cases, think twice before enabling location sharing.

Knowing the risks of sharing your location on social media can be the difference between life or death. Stalkers can be someone you know or a stranger.