From a young age, girls are told to never walk alone out of fear of what others might do to them. They are taught about how to use their keys as weapons and to always ask a store associate to walk them to their car if they don't feel safe. Well, a new app out there wanted to change that. Introducing Companion!

Companion is very similar to other map apps out there like Waze. This one, however, was created with the safety of walking or driving home alone in mind. Users of this app are able to pick friends off of their contact list and they can virtually watch them as they walk or drive to their location. If at any point the user does not feel safe, there is an automatic "Call 911" button on the app that will put the user in touch with local law enforcement, as well as an "I feel nervous" button that will also alert that local law enforcement of a possible disturbances to your area.

All the user has to do is input their location, pick their mode of transportation (walking, driving, biking, or public transportation), and then pick their companions. The companions do not have to have the app to be apart of the user's journey, just a smart phone. The companions also have the option to call the user at any point, so if for some reason the user starts to travel a different way, or stops for a long period of time where there is no stop light, and they will be able to connect instantly with the user.

I originally saw this app on Facebook while scrolling through Thomas Sanders videos. I thought it was just some lame ad, but then a friend of mind also posted it to her page. I figured I would give it a try since it would not necessarily hurt anyone, other than possibly annoy my friends as I did such tests. I figured I would test it at the sketchiest place around, the 7-11 on Woodland Blvd at 1 a.m. The place itself isn't sketchy, just going to any gas station at 1 a.m. can be sketchy, especially when you are sporting two beautiful designer eye bags, a messy bun, and a sweatshirt with multiple stains on it. I wouldn't want me to be in their story either.

I set up the trip, picked some friends who I know would be up, and set off on my journey. I immediately I got a phone call asking what virus I had sent them, and I got slightly concerned that perhaps this app was just that and was slowly working its way into my back account. But after further explanation, the misunderstanding was put to rest and they followed me virtually as I went on my journey. Nothing happened, nothing really ever does, but it kind of felt nice knowing that if something did I would be able to press a simple button and be in contact with 911 or my friends would notice me suddenly moving away from the 7-11 and down some side road.

I highly recommend this app for all ages and genders, and am now using it for a majority of my travels, such as the McDonald trip the pictures above have shown you. Everyone should feel safe when they are walking. Just alert your companions before you send them a link, because it can cause for slight confusion and worry.