As we all know far too well, there is an app for just about everything. Whether you want to play with cartoon cats, study with online flashcards, track your steps, or anything else you can think of, you can probably find a virtual way to supplement that activity. That being said, staying safe is an important part of a college student’s life as well and not something you’d often think about needing an app for. Sure you can carry pepper spray and walk in groups but sometimes you may find yourself walking home alone in the dark. Whether it’s from a party or the library, you’re going to want to be protected. We’ve got a couple apps to assist you in feeling safer.
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1. Safe Ride
Safe Ride is an amazing service provided to Oregon State students through student fees and the Associated Students of Oregon State University. Safe Ride is dedicated to providing an alternative safe ride home for Oregon State students and is available for use in Corvallis and Philomath. Safe Ride operates 7 days a week from 6:00 pm-2:30 am, except on major holidays and university breaks. You can call them at 541-737-5000 or use their Android or iPhone app for a ride home with no judgement.
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2. Companion
Companion is an app available on iPhone and Android created by five University of Michigan students that gives you the ability to walk home with a friend without them having to be there in person. Say you go to the library alone and when you leave it’s darker than you expected, or you went to a party and the one friend you were with ditched you. In this situation, you may normally just clutch your keys, ready your pepper spray, and look over your shoulder but Companion allows you to send a text message to a friend, whether they have the app or not, that allows them to see the route you are taking home, your movements, and your pace.This ensures that your friend can see if any sudden movements occur. In addition, you can press the emergency button to call 911 and set off an alarm to help ward off your attacker.
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3. Bugle
Bugle is an iPhone app that is useful if you don’t like having your phone with you when you go out, or are constantly losing it somewhere. The app allows users to set how long they are going to be gone and where they are going. If the user doesn’t check in within the time limit, their emergency contacts within their phone are alerted by email and text.
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4. Hollaback!
Hollaback! is an iPhone/Android app that allows users to share and map stories of street harassment around the world. You can even create your own personalized maps of street harassment and share them on social media if you want to really get the word out. You can read other’s stories as well and let them know you have their back. There are also resources available and harassment is marked by a pink dot while bystander intervention is marked by a green dot in order to encourage others to speak up and help those around them.
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5. Guardly
Guardly is an app available for iPhone and Android. The download cost is free but to use the premium features you must purchase a $1.99 one month subscription. The app allows you to send alerts to your loved ones, 911, or campus police. It also has an option to do this even when your phone is locked. The app, like many others on this list, also has location tracking but lets you take pictures if an accident occurs where documentation is needed.
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