Vote in our Independent Women poll: Would being tracked online make you feel safer?

Each week, the Independent Women newsletter takes a closer look at the stories shaping women’s lives – from the moments that inspire to the issues that frustrate, challenge and spark debate.

Alongside my take and reflections from readers, the newsletter also features a weekly poll, giving our community the chance to weigh in on the topics behind the headlines and see how others are feeling.

You can vote in this week’s poll below. We’ll update this article weekly with the latest question and publish the final results once voting closes, so you can track how views change over time.

For more commentary on the week’s biggest talking points, make sure you’re signed up to the Independent Women newsletter.

Not subscribed yet? It’s free and easy to join – just head to our newsletter preference centre, press the ‘+’ button next to Independent Women, and enter your email address. You can also sign up via the email box at the top of this page.

Each poll runs for one week, with results published here once voting closes – so don’t forget to check back.

This week’s poll

Do you use "find my friends" or Life360 on your iPhone? You might have it set up for your partner and your kids, like I do – particularly if you have teenagers – but recently I've been thinking about how we would be wise to use it to do exactly what it says: to keep an eye on each other's whereabouts.

Why? Well, because – as women – we are at risk wherever we go, from going out running, to going on first dates with strangers, to making our way home from nights out on public transport, in taxis or on foot.

I've lost count of the number of times my female friends and I use gallows humour to "joke" about our own safety – and to subtly acknowledge the risks. We send each other the full addresses of pubs and clubs and dinner dates, ending texts with, "so you know where to find my body"; or, "so you know what to tell the police". So, I’d like to know whether being tracked online by your friends would help you feel safer – or whether it would feel like an invasion of your privacy.

Want to share your thoughts – and be in with a chance of being featured in the newsletter? Click here to leave a comment.

Previous results

Are baby bumps welcome on the red carpet?

• No – 21%
• Yes – 79%

Do we take women’s safety seriously enough?

• No – 88%
• Yes – 13%

Are there enough women in Andy Burnham’s new cabinet?

• No – 64%
• Yes – 36%

Do you have a favourite child?

• Yes, of course I do – 25%
• No, I love them equally – 37%
• I'm not telling – 38%

Should politicians ever take part in games like ‘shag, marry, date’?

• Yes – it shows they’re human – 37%
• No – it’s deeply inappropriate – 63%

Have you ever used (or would you use) weight-loss drugs?

• Yes – and I'm not ashamed – 31%
• No – but I would consider it – 31%
• Definitely not – 38%

Should the Equality Act be scrapped?

• No – 78%
• Yes – 22%

Is Reform a sexist party?

• Yes, they've made their views on women quite clear – 95%
• No, they're 'just saying what everyone's thinking' – 5%

Do you believe Nicola Sturgeon?

• Yes – 46%
• No – 54%

Are you an angry woman?

• Yes – 62%
• No – 10%
• Sometimes – 28%

Have you ever been insulted because of your gender?

• Yes – 94%
• No – 4%

Should you ever ‘ghost’ your relationship?

• No – people deserve honesty – 45%
• No – it’s never acceptable – 22%
• Yes – sometimes it’s the easiest option – 22%
• Yes – but only in extreme situations – 11%

Have you been to a ‘divorce party’?

• Yes – 82%
• No – 18%

Would you welcome a British ‘summer of sex’?

• Yes – 75%
• No – 25%

Could you forgive infidelity?

• No – 76%
• Yes – 24%

Are age-gap relationships always wrong?

• No – 53%
• None of our business – 44%
• Yes – 3%

Are you worried by the manosphere?

• Yes – 86%
• No – 14%

Are your kids vaccinated against meningitis?

• Yes, both – 100%
• No, they missed out – 0%

Do you feel comfortable talking about sex?

• Depends on circumstances – 57%
• No, how awkward... – 29%
• Yes, it's natural! – 14%

Do you homeschool your kids?

• No – 53%
• Yes – 47%

Do you want to reverse no fault divorces?

• No – 83%
• Yes – 17%

Do you WFH – or would you, if you could?

• Yes, I WFH all the time – 51%
• I am a hybrid worker – 23%
• I don't WFH – and I don't want to – 12%
• I don't WFH – but I'd like to – 14%

Were you shocked by the photos of Prince Andrew?

• Not really – 43%
• Not at all – 30%
• Yes – genuinely shocked – 24%
• Somewhat surprised – 3%

Will you be watching Melania Trump’s new movie?

• Not interested at all – 85%
• Yes, I’m curious – 13%
• Will wait for reviews – 2%

Was Brooklyn Beckham right to air family row?

• No, it should be private – 53%
• Yes, he had the right – 33%
• Both sides at fault – 8%
• Too messy to judge – 6%

Is ‘autistic Barbie’ good for representation?

• Yes – 60%
• No – 40%

Is Reform UK a good alternative to Labour?

• No – 74%
• Yes – 14%
• Neither, both fall short – 11%

Have you had the ‘superflu’?

• Yes – 56%
• No – 44%