Gen Z Approves of Parents Using Location Sharing Apps for Safety
The popularity of location tracking apps, such as Life360, indicates that young people are increasingly comfortable with their parents being able to track their whereabouts at all times. According to The Wall Street Journal, downloads of Life360 have doubled in the past two years, with approximately one in nine US families – about 33 million people – currently using the app.
In addition to Life360, other apps like Google’s Family Link and Apple’s Find My are also being utilized by Gen Z to share their location with both parents and friends. These apps are being used during various activities, such as traveling to school, driving, and even going on dates.
The appeal of these location tracking apps lies in the safety they provide. They can send alerts for events like car crashes, ensuring that both parents and children are aware of potential dangers. Additionally, these apps offer privacy settings that allow users to turn location tracking on and off as desired. However, a survey conducted by The Harris Poll revealed that 16% of US adults keep their location tracking setting activated at all times.
A survey conducted by Life360, involving 1,200 adults, found that 54% of respondents believed it was necessary or generally appropriate for parents to ask their children to share their location at all times. This embrace of location tracking is believed to be connected to the increased levels of anxiety among younger generations. Educational psychologist Dr. Michele Borba, who is a spokesperson for Life360, stated that Gen Z’s mental health crisis, along with the impact of the pandemic, social media, and the constant news cycle, has led them to seek the added layer of security provided by location sharing.
The survey conducted by Life360 also revealed that 94% of Gen Z sees the benefits of location sharing, with more than half considering such apps as synonymous with safety. Particularly for women, the certainty that someone else knows their location is of great importance. 72% of female Gen Z respondents believed that their physical well-being benefits from location sharing.
The top two most common reasons for using location tracking apps are long-distance driving and visiting new or dangerous places. These apps offer a sense of security and reassurance for both parents and young individuals.
In addition to safety, sharing locations and tracking friends on these apps has become a way for younger generations to show affection. According to Michael Sake, a senior lecturer in digital sociology at City, University of London, this act possesses an inherent intimacy and represents a verification of friendship.
Overall, location tracking apps have gained popularity among Gen Z due to the increased need for safety and security, as well as the desire to stay connected with friends and family. These apps offer a sense of reassurance and peace of mind for both parents and young individuals, allowing them to navigate the challenges of the modern world with greater confidence.
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