Parents, if you’ve recently updated your iPhone to iOS 17, you need to be aware of a new feature that could potentially put your child’s safety at risk. The feature is called NameDrop, and it allows the sharing of contact information and photos between two iPhones simply by holding them close together.

The Middletown Division of Police in Ohio issued an alert on Facebook on November 26, warning parents about this feature. They advised parents to alter the settings on their children’s phones to keep them safe.

Here’s how you can do it: go to “Settings,” tap on “General,” then choose the “AirDrop” tab. Once there, turn off the “Bringing Devices Together” option to disable NameDrop.

The Watertown CT Police Department in Connecticut also voiced concerns. They pointed out that with this feature enabled, anyone could place their phone next to yours or your child’s and automatically receive contact information, including picture, phone number, email address, and more, with just a tap of your unlocked screen.

However, the Greenville office noted that for the contact information to be shared, both phones must be held very close to each other, unlocked, and then the swap has to be accepted. Mr. Sachs, a tech expert, said that the two phones need to be within approximately an inch of each other for the NameDrop feature to work.

When NameDrop is activated, users are given two options: “Receive Only” or “Share.” “Receive Only” means that a user will only receive information transmitted by the other individual, and no information about the user will be sent to the other person. Choosing “Share” allows the user to send their information to another individual.

But here’s the danger: many people don’t check their settings and aren’t fully aware of how their phone works. This lack of knowledge could lead to the accidental transmission of personal information to strangers. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about this very issue.

In a recent statement, the FBI warned that sending images to strangers could result in “malicious actors” using content manipulation technologies to generate explicit images. Digital safety expert Yaron Litwin advises caution with online images, especially those posted by children, suggesting they be kept within closed networks.

Protecting our children is paramount. In a world where technology is increasingly pervasive, it’s crucial to stay informed and vigilant about potential risks. Let’s ensure the safety of our children by understanding these features and adjusting the settings on their devices accordingly.