Pokémon GO SAFE, peeps: How to play safe even as you have fun

Stampede in New York. Armed robbery at gunpoint in Missouri. People booked for traffic violations in Australia. Man stabbed in park. All of these incidents were a result of the hugely popular app, Pokémon Go which only launched last week!

While the initial idea of the game was to get people out of their houses, it has taken a bad turn, causing a number of shocking cases of violence and danger to gamers all over the world.

‘Gotta catch em all’ seems to be the motto of youngsters in the city today. If you witness a sudden influx of youngsters at temples or churches, it’s not because they have suddenly become religious but because these places are Pokéstops or gyms.

“My son usually doesn’t play outside once it gets dark, but off late he’s been wandering around in the neighbourhood with his friends till 9 pm. It’s a little worrying because all of them just gather up at one sport and stare at their phones like zombies and are totally unaware of their surroundings,” says Reshmi Talreja, a concerned mother of a 14-year-old.

Though the app does issue a warning, it’s rarely taken seriously by gamers who are already addicted. “It’s always safer to go with a friend as most of the Pokéstops are quite sketchy. I would suggest that people shouldn’t wander off into places they wouldn’t feel safe going normally like dingy garages, dump yards and remote areas. The app uses real world locations but has no idea whether these places are safe or not. It’s important to use your best judgement as the real world is quite a dangerous place,” says Adhira Poovaiah, an avid gamer and corporate employee.

Since the game is real time, a number of robbery and mugging cases have also taken place because of the game. “Thieves have it easy now with the help of lure modules,” says Tara Devji. “Going out at night can be more dangerous because of this. I don’t think parents should allow their kids to venture out just to play the game at night when they are more prone to pedophiles and kidnappers,” continues the 24-year-old entrepreneur from the city.