Most adults are wary about sharing their real-time location for privacy and security reasons. But for younger generations, using apps to share their whereabouts with friends has become as common as posting a selfie on social media. According to a recent CivicScience survey, 65 percent of Gen Z adults aged 18-29 are the most likely to use location-sharing features on apps. Interestingly, the poll finds that those who share locations are more comfortable doing this with friends than family members, with 27 percent more likely to share their location with friends than their own siblings.
Location sharing offers a sense of connection in stressful times. It may even foster social cohesion, which is crucial in urban environments since it helps to grow the local economy, enhances overall wellbeing, and encourages trust among diverse populations. If you live in the city and want to have fun real-world interactions, here’s how location-based apps can turn your stomping grounds into a playground.
Have Spontaneous Meetups with Real-Life Friends
Those who live in the city know that finding time to meet up and spend quality time with friends can be a challenge. There’s the fact that residents often move or travel frequently for work, which causes people to have less time and opportunities to catch up. Also, being in crowded environments like subway stations and shops can make people feel anxious or overwhelmed, so some individuals may prioritize having alone time rather than meeting their friends for a quick chat or a hang out.
City-based app developers know all too well that living in an urban jungle can make people feel socially disconnected. This is why New York developer Zibo Gao, who’s based in The Big Apple, co-founded Sincerely, a teen wellness platform where users can support each other through anonymous letters. Fostering genuine connections through apps like this is possible since online friends offer similar levels of stability and emotional support as offline friendships. But if you crave real-time connection with your in-real-life friends, there’s the option to use location-based apps for impromptu meet ups.
Ever wonder why spontaneous hang outs with your friends seem to be better than planned ones? According to Dr. Sandy Capaldi, associate director of Penn’s Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, the act of scheduling the meet up has something to do with it. “Research has found that scheduled leisure time tends to feel more like ‘work’ or an obligation to be filled,” she explains. To make spending time with friends more enjoyable, think about sharing locations on apps like Glympse for short-term tracking, or Findo, which lets users track friends on a map. Knowing that your friend is nearby allows you to have spontaneous meetups, so you can catch up over a cup of coffee or browse together at a bookshop without having to pencil it in on your calendar.
Enjoy Gaming with Friends and New People
There’s a reason why Pokemon Go continues to be popular in cities worldwide. Apart from the thrill of catching cute Pokemon in the wild, this location-based gaming app also promotes socialization since it transforms gaming into a shared, real-world experience. It encourages face-to-face interactions with other individuals, and fosters cooperation and community building while you’re out and about. This may also be a great way for introverts to make new friends since the game helps people to break the ice as you play on the same team or engage in gym battles.
Want to try a new game that’s similar to Pokemon Go? Consider Pikmin Bloom, a game wherein you’ll grow mysterious creatures called Pikmin, and plant flowers while you go on a walk. The game regularly hosts community days and local events in different cities all over the world, so there’s always the chance of running into a fellow gamer while walking around your area.
Discover New Businesses and Places of Interest
Tired of going to the same places over and over again? Think about using location-based apps to discover new businesses and places of interest. Apps like Google Maps or Yelp helps you search for museums, galleries, coffee shops, and other institutions or businesses near your current location, while applications like Nextdoor enable you to see local business recommendations from your neighbors. Using apps like these allow you to explore new neighborhoods and find your next favorite hangout spots, and it may also help you form new friendships with shop owners and regular customers.
Location-based apps can be the best tools for city dwellers who want to maintain friendships, form new connections, and have fun in their local neighborhoods. Consider using location-based apps, and see how these can help you to fall in love with your city all over again.