Last week after my motorcycle crashed on the freeway, I wanted only two simple things from technology: to call 911 and to tell loved ones where I could be found. When she opened Google Maps, she could see precisely where I was.
For years, tech companies have offered different ways for people to tell one another where they are. If used carelessly, location tracking may hurt your privacy. But used thoughtfully, it can be a powerful and efficient communication tool.
•When you make plans to meet friends somewhere like a movie theater, get into the habit of sharing your location for a short duration, like an hour. This way you can skip saying things like "I'm on my way" or "I'm running a few minutes behind" because people can simply follow you on the map.
• Location sharing can be useful for being considerate of your partner's time and space. For example, I am less likely to text my partner when I see she is at the office or driving on a freeway, but I will text when I see she is at the grocery store to ask her to pick something up.
•Next time you plan an event at a large outdoor space, do your friends a favor: Wandering around aimlessly in a crowded open space can be annoying.
| A．Here are my suggestions for the best time to use it. B．For safety reasons, avoid sharing your location publicly. C．Use an app to share your current location so they can find you. D．Consider sharing your location occasionally with your partner. E．There are many ways for third parties to find out where we are. F．Yet location tracking has caused controversy for the last decade. G．Before calling 911, I texted my partner who was already tracking my location with an app. |
