Near, Far, Wherever You Are: With Whom and Why Do People Use Location Sharing in Relationships

Location sharing technologies using smartphone applications allow users to share their geolocation with each other in real time. Such sharing is a relational process that requires engagement and negotiation with another person. In the current study we use communication privacy management theory to situate our work and examine (a) with whom individuals share their location, (b) the reasons why individuals share their location, and (c) how these reasons differ based on relationship type. Data about individuals’ location sharing practices were collected from a sample of 203 adults who share their location with at least one person. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to analyze participants’ open-ended responses. Results indicated that participants, on average, shared their location with 3.86 individuals ( SD = 7.22, Median = 2), with romantic partners being the most frequently shared with (62.6%). Four main reasons for location sharing were identified in the data: Relationship Processes (using location sharing to maintain, support, or manage relationships), Casual (sharing due to indifference, passivity, or for entertainment), Practicality (sharing for efficiency or task management), and Safety (sharing for peace of mind or safety purposes). Safety reasons were most commonly reported for mothers, fathers, children, roommates, and siblings, whereas Practicality was most frequent for romantic partners and friends. This study lays the groundwork for further research on location sharing practices and offers a first step in understanding the relational dynamics of location sharing.