As we all know, earlier this month, a hot new game was released: "Pokémon Go"!

Now, when this game first came out it was a big hit, all age groups were loving it, and for the summer season it definitely helped get people outside and exercising as they walk around to catch Pokémon, go to Pokémon stops and fight in gym battles. It was a great way for people to connect in their communities.

However, there has been a dark aspect of this game since it came out. People have quickly become obsessed with it and have not only put their lives in danger, but the lives of those around them as well. As we all have seen on the news, many bad things have unfortunately happened since this game became live.

People have been getting into car accidents, there was that highway back up, children and people are getting run over. People have been falling off cliffs as they are hiking and catching Pokémon. Criminals have even started staking out Pokémon stops to mug people. What worries me most about this game is the younger children that try to stay out all hours of the night to play. It is not safe for them to be going out, but as released by some gaming websites, special Pokémon come out at night and children are out to catch them.

This is not to mention the war between the three teams: Valor, Mystic and Instinct. People have become so devoted to these teams that they have actually started fighting with each other, tagging public territory in the name of their team.

Understand that this is a game and it's all in good fun for some, but others are taking it to the extreme. Some are taking advantage of it being a game that gets people out of the house and traveling around to what might be unfamiliar neighborhoods.

I'm not saying it is all bad. I saw an article of a town that had a Pokémon walk and the whole town practically showed up, young and old. They all helped each other out, giving tips on how to make the perfect Pokéball throw and where to find some good Pokémon.

I see families bonding over it all the time. In fact, my boss just told me the other day about her and her sons were venturing out to catch Pokémon. This game was meant to be fun, meant to bring people together, but like I said there is a dark side and people have been taking it to a whole new level.

I have actually played the game, too—not for very long, but I must say it did seem very entertaining and pleasing. I know a lot of people who play it and they all have a lot of fun. I haven't seen much in my area about all the negative effects that I have mentioned, but that doesn't mean they aren't happening or that they won't ever.

This game is a great idea, and as someone who grew up loving Pokémon—watching it every day and playing it since the original GameBoy all the way up to the Nintendo DS—I was happy to see that they have continued to further develop the game.

To those who do play: please take caution and never venture out alone. And please, for the love of God, if you play and drive, put it away until you come to a complete stop (and I don't mean when you're at a stoplight). Have fun playing but remember that the world still has its dangers.