Many of us have walked alone in the park at night and imagined possible protection measures in case something bad happens. Personal safety apps. While it’s good to be aware of our surroundings, it’s better to be prepared.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed a disturbing statistic: 44% of women reported experiencing some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Personal safety is a serious issue and does not discriminate against women. Men and women, children and adults can be victims of harassment and assault. Fortunately, the technological boom has given us more than just games and social networks; there are also a variety of apps and technologies that can help us stay safer.
The development of GPS and other geolocation technologies has led to the creation of new and innovative personal safety apps. But with so many options, how do you choose the right app?
Common Emergencies and the 10 Apps that Can Help
While all of the apps on our list are geared towards personal safety, some are more suited to certain situations than others. Below are some of the most common emergencies that people face in their daily lives. It’s worth considering what dangers you might encounter, then choosing the most appropriate app for each situation.
Street Harassment
In 2014, a video of a woman walking peacefully in New York City went viral after a disturbing number of men harassed her as she went about her daily business. Unfortunately, street harassment is common and can happen in cities, suburbs, rural areas, and even in your own neighborhood. Hollaback and Kitestring are two services on our list that are especially helpful when your personal space is being invaded by public places.
Parties and Social Gatherings
When we think about personal safety, we don’t always consider the different ways in which we can feel unsafe. Unfortunately, danger often stems from familiar circumstances. Of the sexual assault victims under the age of 18 who were reported to authorities, 93% knew their attacker; approximately 59% were acquaintances, 34% were family members, and only 7% were strangers. Safety apps that use friend networks, such as bSafe and Circle of 6, are useful for college parties and other social events where you’re attending with close, trusted friends.
Medical Emergencies
Your personal safety may also include potential medical conditions, such as epilepsy, allergies, or a risk of stroke. You may find yourself in a situation where talking to emergency services on the phone could put you in danger. First Aid. The American Red Cross and Noonlight are good options if you have a medical condition that could occur anywhere and you need to notify emergency services so they have access to first aid manuals.
Personal safety for kids
Your kids will undoubtedly have a very different high school experience than you did, and because of the pressure of having a smartphone at a young age, today’s kids are more exposed to commercial exploitation than you were. Unfortunately, kids may not know how to react and cope with certain uncomfortable situations, which is why personal safety apps are especially important for young children. Check out Circle of 6 and Red Panic Button if you want your kids to have a reliable and easy-to-use safety app.
Natural Disasters
Personal safety isn’t just about protecting yourself from intruders or aggressors. The need for emergency services has become more than evident in recent times, especially during hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. If you want your call for help to reach more than just your immediate contacts, the Red Panic Button app lets you send emergency messages as well as connect to your social media accounts, including Twitter, Facebook, and email. Tweeting during a potential disaster may seem overwhelming, but one tweet helped save an entire nursing home during Hurricane Harvey.
Here’s our list of the Top 10 Best Personal Safety Apps for 2022:
1. bSafe
- Ideal for solo hikes or social events.
- The “Follow Me Live” feature is great for parents.
- Live broadcast to your caregiver or contacts.
Your personal safety is no small feat. You might be on a date and feeling a little uncomfortable, or at a friend’s party when you get a sick feeling in your stomach. The bSafe app offers real-time tracking, voice-activated tools, automatic recordings, and even live broadcasts, plus an SOS button that will alert your contacts in case of danger. As an added bonus, bSafe can make fake calls asking you to get up from the table and leave the uncomfortable situation. Like most personal safety apps, bSafe only works if you have location services enabled and have sent invitations to friends who have agreed to track your movements.
2. Circle of 6
- Ideal for high school and college students.
- Send a distress message with just one tap on your phone.
Circle of 6 was designed for high school and college students. With an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, this app helps you or your kids avoid difficult situations by designating up to 6 friends of your choice. With two taps, you’ll send three pre-defined text messages to your friends. You can also schedule a fake interruption in the form of a phone call if you have a meeting you’re worried about. The app includes pre-programmed national emergency numbers and a local number that you can customize for campus security, police, or 911.
3. Kitestring
- No need to download the app.
- Customize emergency notifications sent to your contacts.
If you don’t want to download the app, Kitestring will send you a text message when you’re in a meeting, outing, or conference. If you don’t respond, it will automatically send a personalized notification to your emergency contacts. You don’t even need a smartphone to sign up.
4. Watch Over Me
- Nothing is required. Simply set a timer and pre-program your emergency contacts.
- Record a video with a simple gesture on your phone.
One of the first factors to consider when choosing a personal safety app is which one is easiest to use in an emergency. The Watch Over Me app works by setting a simple timer for any situation that’s making you nervous. During this time, your GPS is tracked, and if you don’t press the “I’m Safe” button after the timer starts, an alert will be sent to your emergency contacts, including your exact location.
5. First Aid: American Red Cross
- Ideal for people with pre-existing health conditions, as well as mountaineers and hikers.
- Access first aid manuals and safety resources even without Wi-Fi.
Whether you have a pre-existing health condition or are heading out on a hike, the American Red Cross is a great option for resources and assistance. The First Aid app offers a range of features designed to help you in a medical emergency: you can contact emergency services directly from the app, watch a variety of videos, find step-by-step first aid tips, and access preloaded safety information that works even without Wi-Fi.
6. Silent Beacon
- Program contacts for friends, family, or 911
- Share your distress message with real-time GPS location
With Silent Alert, you can personalize your emergency contacts on your phone and notify them with a simple tap of the screen. Your contacts can be friends, family, or even the police, and you can easily change them depending on your location or situation. This simple and effective app shares your distress message along with your GPS location so your contacts can respond quickly in an emergency.
7. React Mobile
- A portable keychain lets you call for help even without accessing your phone
- Pre-program your own emergency contacts
As much as we love our smartphones, there are times when we will be without them and it is important to have a way to call for help in an emergency other than our trusty phones. The React Mobile app features a smart dongle that pairs with your phone’s app via Bluetooth, so you can get help faster if your phone is locked or out of reach when you need help. In the event of an emergency, you can press a button on the device that immediately alerts your emergency contacts.
8. Hollaback!
- The best for those who walk alone in society.
- Submit photos of stalkers to a prevention site.
According to Hollaback!, between 80 and 90% of women have been harassed in public. Hollaback allows you to take and upload a “caught in the act” photo of your potential harassment and submit the story to be recorded and mapped at ihollaback.org.
9. Red Panic Button
- Ideal for social media users
- A quick and easy way to send emergency alerts to anyone in your social network.
Personal safety is not just about protecting yourself from harassment or attackers. The need for emergency services has become more than evident in recent times, especially during hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. If you want your call for help to reach more than just your immediate contacts, the Red Panic Button app lets you send emergency messages as well as connect with your social networks, including Twitter, Facebook, and email.
10. SafeTrek
- Ideal for solo hikers
- Contact local police
SafeTrek is another simple and easy-to-use app. It has one function: press the button in the center of the screen when you feel safe. When you’re safe, enter a 4-digit PIN, and if you don’t, the app will automatically contact local police.
Personal Safety is Worth the Cell Phone Space
Personal safety can be a sensitive topic, but being prepared for the risks and staying safe outdoors is important. Today, there are apps designed for solo travelers, night hikers, singles, college students, children, and more. With just a single button or tap on your phone, you can send emergency alerts to your contacts or authorities and get help before the situation escalates, which can make a big difference.
