Why are we obsessed with keeping track of our friends? As Millennials and Gen Z admit they’re using apps to locate their pals when they are ‘bored’, psychologist suggests FOMO is to blame

In the age of smartphones, millennials and Gen Z have become increasingly obsessed with knowing where their friends are and what they are up to at all times – but is this actually good for our relationships?

Thanks to apps like Find My Friends and Snapchat, it’s easier than ever to see where your friends are in the world – and even keep an eye on them as they move from one place to another.

TikTok is full of videos where creators poke fun at their own obsession with checking where their friends are when they’re feeling “bored” and demand to know why someone’s location is disabled.

A British psychologist has revealed that there are both pros and cons to the phenomenon as we become more connected through social media.

Creator @ini_cash racked up 21.7 million views with a viral video of him jokingly monitoring the whereabouts of his loved ones.

“Show me where everyone is,” he chuckles. ‘Why is your location turned off? Probably somewhere she shouldn’t be!’

Elsewhere, based in the US @natetoobadd made a similar clip in March, playfully joking about checking on their friend and wondering why some people were walking around wondering who was and wasn’t working.

In the meantime, @tayjamieson from Britain recently made a video in which she points out that she “always knows the exact locations of her friends.”

The trend is clearly sparking a shared curiosity about what our loved ones do when we’re not around – but one psychologist says there are both pros and cons to the phenomenon.

“There has definitely been a noticeable increase in the number of people wanting to know the locations of their friends in recent years,” Dr. Becky Spelman, the founder of Private Therapy Clinic, told FEMAIL.

‘Although it is more common among the younger generations, it is not just limited to them.’

Dr. Spelman essentially admits that all we want to do is make sure our friends are doing well.

“One of the most important functions of location-sharing apps is to ensure the safety of loved ones,” she explained.

‘This allows us to track the whereabouts of our friends, which is very useful and reassuring in unfamiliar or potentially unsafe situations.

“By staying connected, we can provide immediate assistance when needed.”

Switching on your location also makes administrative matters easier, such as finding each other in a busy meeting place.

“Fear of missing out (FOMO) could be another driving factor,” Dr. Spelman added.

‘This way we can see if we are missing exciting events. Location sharing apps can give us a sense of belonging and belonging.”

She also said that sharing our locations can “deepen the bond between friends and couples through trust and transparency.”

“This can help us feel closeness and reassurance within relationships,” she noted.

However, it’s not all positive as privacy issues can be an issue.

“Some people may feel uncomfortable if others know their every move, and it can lead to conflict or breaches of trust,” Dr. Spelman said.

‘Is it fair to constantly monitor our friends’ locations? If taken too far, following friends through location-sharing apps can make it difficult for some people to be independent or make decisions for themselves.”

Furthermore, it can put pressure on the person being ‘followed’.

“It can feel like we’re always available if we’re constantly visible to others, which can lead to stress and anxiety,” she revealed.

“This can increase the pressure to constantly update your location.”

The psychiatrist concludes: ‘Overall, tracking the locations of friends can certainly have benefits if used for good, such as locating each other at a busy music festival, or ensuring a friend gets home safely after a night out.

‘If such apps are used incorrectly, people can experience stress and anxiety due to privacy breaches and crossing boundaries.

‘It’s very important to communicate clearly with friends and loved ones when using location sharing apps to ensure everyone involved feels comfortable and respected.’

Lauren Hendry Parsons, Privacy Advocate at ExpressVPN, also told FEMAIL that apps like Find My Friends raise privacy issues to consider, including concerns about data collection and tracking the locations of ex-friends and lovers.

“Apps like Find My Friends offer enormous privacy benefits to users, when used for their intended purposes and the associated risks are actively managed,” she says.

“Every technology we use comes with a range of risks and trade-offs.

“My overall takeaway is that it is critical for all of us to understand the trade-offs and risks of each technology as well as we understand ourselves – and take steps to mitigate those risks as best we can.”

She explained that it’s important to think about how “invasive” data collection can be.

“Our cell phones track where we go every minute of the day, revealing the most sensitive and intimate things about us,” she said.

‘That personal location data can be used to provide useful services such as maps, fitness tracking and keeping track of friends and family, but it can also put every mobile phone user at risk of having their personal data misused.’

Lauren said hackers can easily gain access to some location-sharing apps and ultimately steal data without permission.

“People should consider what happens if they are no longer friends with someone or have broken up with someone they previously shared their location data with,” she added.

‘A recent survey we conducted around password sharing found that 1 in 4 people regularly track their ex’s real-time location using location sharing apps such as Find My Friends.

“This type of surveillance can lead to risks beyond cybersecurity and could potentially be used as a tool for coercive control, especially if the breach was not on good terms.

‘After a relationship has ended, it is essential to immediately revoke access or change your password.’

The expert continued: “So in short: do what best suits your life with your technology, but make sure you understand how it can be misused, and actively manage your settings and your exposure to risk.”