It’s catching the nation by storm…Pokémon Go uses a smartphone’s GPS and gyroscope sensors to determine a player’s location. The game then uses that information to display Pokémon near the player, through the phone’s camera. The game also marks popular locations, such as parks, memorials and other frequently visited areas, as places where players can compete with each other and gather free in-game items.
It’s cool. Very cool. But (and you knew this was coming) also very risky.
The game had over 7.5 million downloads in its first week of availability. However, its focus on traveling to new locations and the constant need to look down at a phone to play presents a variety of risks to players.
Here are some basic safety tips to keep in mind while playing Pokémon Go, according to “Beyond the Basics: Pokémon Go,” published by Zywave:
- Never travel to an unfamiliar area while playing the game. Thieves have been known to gather near popular areas identified as meeting spots by the game.
- Look up from your phone regularly to watch out for obstacles such as rocks, stairs and bodies of water.
- Never look at your phone while you’re crossing a street. Drivers may assume that you’re fully aware of your surroundings while you’re crossing
Pokémon Go should never be played while driving. As the game requires a player to constantly look at his or her phone, it can cause a substantial risk of an auto accident. Additionally, the game will not function properly while moving at high speeds, which can increase the likelihood of an accident.
Pokémon on!