Location sharing can feel like a simple safety net, but we look at what happens when “peace of mind” turns into constant, obsessive monitoring. From parents tracking young adult children to couples sharing this real-time info, we explore how this technology can protect, pressure or slowly erode trust depending on how it’s used.
Guest:
- Randi Smith, psychologist, professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver;
- Sarah Clark, co-director, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, faculty member, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
Whatever the reason may be, Sarah Clark says location sharing can be valuable when truly used for safety and not surveillance. But where’s the line? Clark says it starts by asking yourself why you’re using the tech. Are you really checking in to make sure your child is safe?
The debate over safety versus surveillance doesn’t end with helicopter parents. It can also bleed into romantic relationships. Smith authored a study examining location-sharing practices in couples and came back with some surprising results.
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