Safe App

There is a growing trend that people will find themselves in unsafe situations at some point in their lives. Whether this lack of safety has to do with being distracted, the area you are living, or the party you are at, smartphone apps are being developed to make sure that staying safe is just button press away.

As I talked about in a previous post, people are more attached to their smartphones than ever before. Talking on the phone may be something you do while running errands. Suppose you are in a busy part of town and you are talking on the phone . . . how much attention are you paying to what's around you? An app called WalkSafe uses images from the phone's camera to detect and warn distracted pedestrians about oncoming traffic. According to a 2011 article from MIT:

WalkSafe uses the phones camera to detect oncoming vehicles
 (pic from: technabob)

"When WalkSafe detects a car approaching at 30 miles per hour or faster, it vibrates the phone and makes a sound to alert the distracted user"

This app attempts to help the user avoid accidents that might happen if they are not paying attention to their surroundings.

Another app created to promote safety is the "Sex Offender Tracker" app. This app uses the camera and GPS in the smartphone to identify where the user is and then it shows where registered sex offenders are in the area (see video above). According to the Sex Offender Tracker website "It also includes a photo of the registered offender along with details about the offense."

Not only is this great for personal safety, but it would also be good in a family situation. For instance, Halloween trick or treating can be made safer by knowing areas that may not be safe.

Apps exist to keep the user safe in tough situations.
(pic from: mtv.com)

Another important app is one to prevent assault. As the winner of the White House Apps Against Abuse Technology Challenge, the app Circle of 6 gives you instant access to six of your closest and most dependable friends. Mostly targeted at college students, Circle of 6 is "the mobile way to look out for your friends, on campus or when you're out for the night".

If you find yourself in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation, you can send a pre-programmed text for your friends to pick you up or call you in order for you to get away from a questionable person. According to a 2011 article by MTV, "GPS coordinates and mobile messaging functions give contacts all of the info they need so that they jump into action to get help on its way ASAP."

Whether you are taking an active role in making sure an area is safe or need the help of a friend (or camera), these apps help you take control of your safety. Not all situations may seem unsafe at first, but it is important to be prepared to take action if needed.