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Pokemon Go – The Pros & Cons!

Many parents are wondering what this game is all about, now that their children are so desperately keen to get outside to search for Pikachu and his buddies!

The game is played on any phone with GPS capability and involves collecting various Pokemon characters and in game supplies, from a variety of different locations, (in the real world). Players view a map of their current location, with superimposed elements displayed on the phones screen.

If players wish to battle with their characters, they must visit a location that has been designated a ‘gym’. Typically, gyms are situated in a public area, or place of interest, such as a park or church.

Whether you love, or hate the idea of it, this popular App presents plenty of opportunity for learning as well as encouraging people to get outside in the fresh air and exercise!

We discuss these positive points as well as some of the safety concerns surrounding the game, below.

Opportunities For Learning

The huge success of this game stems from the developers having found a way to stitch the real world and virtual world together in a unique way. Up until now, virtual characters in games have been moved around in a virtual world, but seeing a Pokemon superimposed over your screenshot of the real world is what has made this game so fascinating and exciting for users.

Thankfully there are several ways for parents to capitalise on the phenomenal success of a game that children are so keen to play, by focussing on its educational potential…

To participate, children will need to read and practice their mathematics to weigh up the benefits of the characters they come across, calculate points and understand their stats. Then you have the mapping and navigating the way from A to B, (another highly useful skill).

Whilst playing the game, users are naturally drawn to many places of interest, offering an opportunity to learn interesting facts about buildings and local history. At certain spots, in- game information is provided, further enhancing this aspect of the game.

Setting Up

Setting up will require you to enter a Google account and according to the terms and conditions of the game, users are expected to be aged 13 and over.

Many opt to set up a dummy Gmail account for log in purposes; this account can be used specifically for games. In-app purchasing can be paid for with a Google Play gift card, placing a limit on the potential for spending should you go down this route.

Choose a user name that does not identify you personally and once you are logged in; you will be invited to customise your avatar and begin the game by catching your starter Pokemon.

In Game Purchasing

Pokemon Go is a free game; however, like most apps it does encourage users to spend money on optional in-app purchases.

You may decide that you do not want your child spending any money on in-app purchases, in which case you can turn them off, if your child is using an IPhone or set up a password on their Android phone so that no purchasing is possible without your supervision.

Do Look Up!

Keep in mind that whilst the majority of people who are wandering around in search of Pokemon have their face permanently glued to the screen – there is another way and it is worth discussing this point with your child.

There is nothing to stop you placing your phone in your pocket and waiting for it to vibrate,( indicating an encounter with a Pokemon). That way it is possible to enjoy your environment and surroundings whilst out exploring.

As well as missing out on all of the great things going on in the environment around you, wandering around as a distracted pedestrian on a smart phone can be unsafe. It is so important to pay attention to what and who is around you, paying special attention when walking near busy roads and taking care to cross them safely.

Safety Concerns

Aside from the obvious concerns, such as Pokemon happy kids having another reason to immerse themselves in screen time, parents are likely to have other safety concerns about their children playing this game.

A great way to alleviate some of these concerns is to go out with your child and play the game with them. This is the ideal way to see for yourself, exactly how it all works and enables you to reinforce appropriate guidelines about keeping phones in pockets whilst crossing roads, and staying safe in general.

Other players are visible on screen and this feature of the game can be a great way to make friends in a safe environment, however it also presents obvious risks, which should be discussed with your child.

Last but by no means least, it is worth pointing out that use of this game will drain a great deal of power from the phone and therefore it is important to keep an eye on the phones charge to prevent it running out at an inconvenient time.

Family Fun Outdoors

Following its hugely successful launch this summer, Pokemon Go certainly looks like it is going to be with us for a little while longer.

Thankfully there are plenty of ways to combine the game with fun family outings, both locally and further afield as this game can be enjoyed just about anywhere, presenting plenty of scope for outdoor fun.

Pokemon go is of course played on a screen, so it may be a compromise of sorts, but for parents concerned about their children spending too much time indoors, there has to be plenty of appeal in a game that cannot be played from a comfortable spot on the sofa!

October 14, 2016

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