Accessibility of Kavalan SOS App among College Students

Abstract

The rapid expansion of mobile governance and digital public services has introduced technology-enabled emergency response applications aimed at enhancing citizen protection. The Kavalan SOS Application, developed by the Tamil Nadu Police, represents a state-level initiative designed to provide real-time emergency assistance through location tracking and distress alerts. Despite its availability, the effectiveness of such applications depends largely on accessibility, awareness, usability, and user readiness. College students constitute a highly mobile and digitally active population, yet their engagement with government-supported emergency applications remains underexplored. This study examines the level of accessibility of the Kavalan SOS App among college students, assessing socio-demographic influences, awareness levels, usability perceptions, and technological barriers. Using a quantitative descriptive research design with a sample of 50 respondents, the study employs percentage analysis, Chi-square testing, and correlation analysis. Findings reveal that while a majority of respondents demonstrate high overall accessibility, significant associations exist between smartphone type and accessibility levels. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation between awareness and usability indicates that knowledge significantly influences effective utilisation. The study underscores the critical role of digital literacy, institutional promotion, and social work interventions in strengthening technology-based emergency preparedness among youth.