Tripping, falling, severe sunburns, and minor car accidents. These are just a few of the symptoms that users of the newest internet obsession: Pokémon Go are experiencing. This app allows users to put themselves into the world of Ash Ketcham and collect Pokémon in real life with their phone cameras. The one caveat? You have to be traveling under 20 miles per hour to catch these beloved fictional creatures.
The newest app sensation has been taking millennials by a storm. All childhood dreams of turning the game on their Gameboy/Nintendo DS into reality have come true and, as a result, is turning millions of users into mindless drones staring at a rectangular screen in pursuit of mythical creatures.
While this app does promote users to go outside and get some fresh air while also getting some light cardio during a heated chase for a coveted Mew, the majority of the users do not actually interact with each other while playing this game. In addition, the majority of users merely look like lost tourists staring at their screen while walking in odd directions.
Here are four reasons why I think you should say no to Pokémon Go:
1. It is borderline dangerous
I have seen too many a people trip and fall while on their pursuit for Pokémon. Spraining your ankle by falling into a pot hole or risking being hit by a car is not worth adding a new Charizard to your collection.
Just to be clear: IT IS ILLEGAL TO POKEMON GO AND DRIVE.
2. It is incredibly time consuming
Tracking down fictional creatures on your phone is no easy feat and requires time and dedication. For many, this has already become an obsession and can even hinder relationships. Do not let the people you love/responsibilities in the real world be put on the back burner in order to collect one more Bulbasaur.
3. It drains your phone battery/ data
The game uses a lot of internet data because Pokémon GO spends a lot of time using map data to generate the feeds from the location and helping the players in keeping the track of their Pokémon and where they will be able to find the next one. Many people find that they merely do not have the data capacity to catch them all because it does eat up quite a bit of data. On the other hand, many players have reported that they have already used up their monthly data plan and are going to get hit with some huge bills and start resenting their cellular plans. Save your data (and money) for more important matters (like watching this compilation of cute cat videos).
4. It makes you an easy target for criminals
Pokémon GO works by finding certain Pokémon at specific locations. It means that at a certain time, a lot of players might gather at an exact location to find their Pokémon. It did not take long for the mal-intentioned folk to find this new way of exploiting the players. In Missouri, a group of people were playing Pokémon GO on a hotspot device when armed robbers lured the players to an isolated parking lot and robbed them. While it is always important to be careful and attentive at all times, this app does make you more vulnerable for becoming a victim.
Those are just a few of the issues I have noticed with the newest viral app. Personally, I think it is best to stick to the OG Ruby and Saphire Version of Pokémon available on the Gameboy and Nintendo DS devices you have stored somewhere in the darkest depths of your closet. If you do decide to disregard these warnings, at least be smart and stay safe when you have a hankering to "catch 'em all" in the real world.
