Tracking apps are becoming more popular among the public and in certain business sectors as a result of their many different benefits. For instance, they can be very useful in providing real-time data, monitoring a loved one’s location, and providing digital insights.
Evidence shows that when they are used responsibly for positive purposes, they are a credit to society at large. From improving personal safety to supporting public health initiatives, tracking apps are being used to contribute to a variety of situations in many meaningful ways.
1. Enhancing Personal and Family Safety
One of the most common reasons why many people are now using tracking apps is for the utility they provide to ensure the safety of family members. Spouses can consensually use them to keep track of each other while, for instance in nature, while parents can use them to track their children’s locations, especially during school hours or when they’re commuting independently.
With these apps, you can receive real-time updates on where a child or loved one is and they quickly alert parents if a child is off-route or somewhere unusual. For example, mSpy is a legit app used by many people — parents and otherwise — to track loved ones. According to tech writer Lora Pance, parents can use the app to monitor their children’s location and view their interactions online, helping to protect them from both physical dangers and online threats like cyberbullying or predatory behavior.
2. Monitoring Health and Fitness
Another very popular use for tracking apps is to promote your health and fitness goals. Most wearable devices like Fitbits and Apple Watches use tracking technology to monitor things like your physical activity, heart rate, and sleep quality. They help users set goals and provide reminders to move, keeping track of their progress over time.
So, in a broader sense, these apps positively contribute to public health one individual at a time. They encourage healthy behaviors and a lot of fitness challenges and online communities rely on them to promote active living, reducing the risks of lifestyle-related illnesses like obesity and heart disease.
3. Care for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
For families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia, life isn’t easy because the individuals they are caring for aren’t in control of their actions and are at risk of dangers like wandering off and getting lost. For them, tracking apps provide an invaluable sense of peace and security.
Loved ones and caregivers can go about their day while monitoring the movements of elderly patients or family members who may be prone to wandering or becoming disoriented. With geofencing — a virtual border that triggers an alert when crossed — caregivers are warned if their loved one exits the home or wanders beyond a designated area.
4. Environment and Wildlife Conservation
A less well-known use for tracking technology is its utility for environmental conservation efforts. Conservationists use GPS and tracking apps to monitor endangered species all over the world. They can track migratory patterns, and study animal behaviors through these apps, allowing them to pick up on crucial events.
These include things like poaching attempts, failures to mate, or migrations to drier, more unsafe areas that may not be conducive to their survival. They are also useful in monitoring environmental conditions like air and water quality, assisting in the early detection of environmental hazards.
5. Locating Lost or Stolen Devices
Many people are aware of the device tracking feature of tracking apps, especially if they have ever lost or had a device stolen from them. Many tracking apps have a built-in GPS that permits users to locate their phones, tablets, or laptops from anywhere.
Apps like ‘Find My iPhone’ or Google’s ‘Find My Device’ features are often used to successfully recover lost devices. Not only does this reduce electronic waste, but it also saves users from having to buy a new device.
6. Safety in Transportation
When it comes to transportation, tracking apps improve the safety and efficiency of both public and private transit systems. The benefits of fleet vehicle tracking ensures that buyers and company owners are aware of their whereabouts every step of the way.
On the other hand, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft give users real-time location tracking of both the driver and the passenger, ensuring safe routes and timely pickups. Tracking systems are also widely used by public transportation authorities to help travelers locate buses and trains, reducing wait times and improving reliability.
7. Disaster Relief Efforts
In times of natural disasters, tracking apps become almost essential as they aid in coordinating relief efforts. Relief organizations and authorities can monitor affected areas, allocate resources where needed, as needed, and rescue stranded individuals.
During the recent hurricanes and wildfires that devastated areas, tracking apps allowed emergency responders to provide quicker aid to those in danger. They also help to locate missing persons, reunite families, and reduce fatalities.
8. Domestic Violence Prevention
Victims of domestic violence can use tracking apps to maintain their safety. Some apps allow users to share their real-time location with trusted contacts, a feature that could save lives by alerting friends, family, or authorities in the event of an emergency. Tracking apps that specialize in these protective functions, like Life360, give users discreet ways to check in with contacts.
9. Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
In mental health and addiction recovery, tracking apps provide well-structured routines and accountability for people on their recovery journeys. ‘Sober Grid’ and ‘I Am Sober’ allow users to monitor their sobriety progress and connect with supportive communities. For mental health, apps often include features that monitor mood patterns and help users stick to healthy behaviors and routines.
Benefits of Tracking Apps
Tracking apps offer a wide range of benefits for individuals and society at large. Yet they must be used responsibly and ethically. A few best practices for using tracking apps are:
- Transparency lets people know before you use tracking apps so you can consensually keep an eye on them within agreed limits.
- Respect for privacy must be adhered to as these limit the use of tracking apps for necessary purposes. A good example is that you can monitor children’s online activity without invading their personal conversations unnecessarily.
- Focus on safety as tracking apps are most beneficial when used to protect rather than to control.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many benefits to using tracking apps. From ensuring the safety of children to aiding in wildlife conservation, tracking apps provide invaluable support. For personal safety, public health, or environmental conservation, tracking apps offer a multitude of applications that benefit both individuals and society, proving the potential of technology to foster positive change.
