Why ‘Pokémon Go’ is So Electrifying

If you’ve seen adults and children alike with their noses in their phones a little more than usual this week, it’s probably because of Pokémon Go. The hot new gaming fad places virtual Pokémon characters into the real world through a complex software combined with a GPS system.

To briefly explain the game for those not yet in the know: Users download the free app and create a character that is a “trainer” seeking to catch and tame the creatures they see on the streets. The app uses the users’ real-world location to place Pokémon around them in real life — for example, on the sidewalk, in a mailbox, or on the back of the person in front of them. The goal is to collect the creatures, battle with them, and become a master — all while staying in the real world.

Location services serve as a kind of tracking device that, if tapped into, could be unsafe for your child.

Although the release is relatively new, the game has already nearly surpassed Twitter in terms of popularity. And it hasn’t even launched globally, according to Forbes.

This hot new game certainly has a number of positive factors — it’s getting kids outside, interacting with other players, and taking the fun on their phones out into the real world. There are, however, a few key dangers that should be mentioned before you send your child out into the exciting virtual world of Pokémon Go.

1.) Tracking
Because the app is placed in the real world, a phone’s location services need to be on for optimal playing. This can be dangerous, as location services obviously serve as a kind of tracking device that, if tapped into, could be unsafe for your child. However, this can also be a plus if you want to monitor where your child is when he or she is playing.

2.) Distraction
This is the most noticeable danger of this app. Users must have the app open to search for the creatures in order to visualize their locations in the real world. This is risky, as bikers, walkers, skateboarders, and sometimes even drivers are looking at their phones instead of where they’re going. Remind your kids to look up and look out for distracted users.

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3.) Data
This hot and trendy app uses up a plethora of data if users aren’t in Wifi areas. If you have unlimited data — wonderful. If not, you may want to warn your excited kids to monitor their usage so it doesn’t consume all of your data. The app is free for download, but could be quite costly if you aren’t on an unlimited plan.

4.) Meeting Places
A feature of the game allows people to meet up to “battle” their Pokémon. This is causing worry for parents, as children are likely to forget their sense of caution with strangers as they invest wholeheartedly in the game.

One concerned woman experimented with the game and placed a “lure” on an area, noticing that multiple unsupervised children showed up almost instantly in the area, according to the Daily Mail. This, of course, could be a haven for predators to take advantage of innocent children through the app.

Related: New ‘Pokemon Go’ Game Explodes

Warn your kids to be aware of who they’re meeting up with — and if you’re concerned, accompany them for this part of the game. 

5.) Robberies
A few users were caught trying to rob other users by predicting where they would be going to hunt for the Pokémon characters. Three men in Missouri used the PokéStops — virtual locations that correspond with real places — to rob eight people before they were arrested by the police. Remind kids to be hyper aware of the areas they’re playing in, and to always bring a non-virtual buddy along with them.

In addition to these physical dangers presented by the app, there are also some psychological effects, as the game incorporates a new technology known as “augmented reality,” or A.R. This technology works by adding digital imagery into a real-life setting through a digital medium, such as a smartphone. This kind of technology can be confusing for children, especially young ones who are still developing.

“One of the dangers can be a kid immersing himself or herself in this world to the detriment of other relationships,” said one expert.

Dr. Shoshana Bennett, a clinical psychologist and author, told LifeZette about some of the possible damaging effects of this technology.

“It can be exciting for kids, but also extremely confusing about what is real and what is not,” she said. “Depending on the developmental age of the child, that can be quite confusing.”

In past generations, the concept of “reality” has been a lot clearer for children, as the only forms of fantasy were toys and books and movies. It is very different now that it is moving and shaking in real life. “It’s going to take some careful thought on the parents’ part to be able to help a child — especially a younger child — differentiate,” she said.

Additionally, this technology may add to the trend of people turning to devices instead of forming real relationships — so playtime should be limited.

“It’s also one more way that children are burying their faces in their phones. They’re having less eye contact with others around them,” Dr. Bennett said.

“There’s nothing wrong with technology. When used appropriately, technology can be an adjunct and a wonderful educational component to their growth,” she said. “But from what I’m seeing, one of the dangers can really be a kid immersing himself or herself in this world so that it’s to the detriment of other relationships, of face-to-face and eye contact, and of speaking with another human being.”

Stay tuned for more on the compelling new technology of augmented reality.