Going to college opens the door for a lot more independence for teens and young adults, however this can also bring more safety concerns forward, which is why the bthere app was created by entrepreneur Ben Johanson and design agency Handsome.
The bthere app's goal is to make college campuses safer for students, many of whom may not have a lot of close connections nearby that they're able to rely on. The app allows for private group chats and location sharing, and even rewards users for simply spending time with one another. Incentives include everything from cash prizes and discounts at major retailers, to trips and free festival tickets. By rewarding users for spending time with one another and checking up on their classmates, bthere reminds them of the importance of staying connected, and makes it easier for them to keep track of everyone's whereabouts.
Campus Safety Apps
bthere Helps College Classmates Be More Accountable for One Another
Trend Themes
1. Mobile Campus Safety - Mobile apps like bthere are leveraging technology to enhance safety on college campuses by enabling private group chats, location sharing, and incentivizing students to stay connected.
2. Community-based Safety Initiatives - bthere's focus on encouraging college students to look out for one another and rewards for spending time together reflects a growing trend of fostering community-based safety initiatives.
3. Gamification of Safety - The use of rewards such as cash prizes, discounts, trips, and free tickets by bthere demonstrates the potential for gamification in promoting safety and accountability among college students.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile App Development - The development of campus safety apps like bthere creates opportunities for mobile app developers to cater to the safety needs of college students and universities.
2. Design and User Experience - Design agencies, like Handsome who collaborated on the bthere app, have the opportunity to create user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces for campus safety applications.
3. Retail and Event Partnerships - bthere's reward system opens up potential partnerships with major retailers and event organizers who can offer incentives to college students, providing opportunities for targeted marketing and increased brand visibility.