"Pokémon Go," as you most likely know, is a free smartphone application released on July 6, 2016. The game enables the player to become what we all dreamt of being as a kid: an actual Pokémon trainer. To catch a Pokémon, the operator physically has to go to different locations to catch many different species. With an audience of young adults to young kids, the app has made quite a splash in the media both negatively, and positively. This leads to my main question, "Has this game taken over our lives?"

If you feel like you're the only person not playing "Pokémon Go," don't worry. Although the game's popularity increases by the second, the app has only been downloaded around 7.5 million times. That might seem like a large number, but according to a 2016 report from the Pew, the game is only on roughly 5 percent of smartphones. Why is the game so popular? My theory relates to the nostalgic attachment many adults and college students have with the Pokémon franchise as well as a societal need to fit in with what is current.

While some people couldn't care less about the app, others have actually harmed themselves and those around them for the sake of a video game which has no monetary value! Honestly, those who believe the game is beastly make very convincing and honest arguments. Some players have become obsessed and have abandoned their well-being to literally chase after animations. Is this unhealthy? I would have to believe so. There have been reports of players getting injured or attacked due to the players being unaware of their surroundings. If you are constantly staring at your phone while walking, then you can't possibly be conscious of what is going on around you. However, many good things have come from the same game!

"Pokémon Go" forces its users to go outside. I know, a video game that actually encourages physical activity? Shocking! Not only does the game get you out of your house, it actually helps players discover new areas around them. The Pokéstops, which users can acquire supplies from, are set at specific points all over the map. A player has to be at the physical location to reap its rewards. Another positive note that might come as a shock, the game aids in social interaction. If you go out in public and see people watching their phones as they walk, then there's a very good chance they have the app open. When you walk past another player, they will often ask if you have seen a rare Pokémon nearby or even tell you where they had seen one. People of a variety of ages are interacting and helping each other out! It might just be for a video game, but it is a pretty cool sight to see. I have even gotten together with some friends and specifically went out to hunt for Pokémon, and I can honestly say that I had a great time.

So, is this game evil? Personally, I think it depends on the player. To some players, the app is addictive. I hear some of the negative news stories and just cannot fathom why people would be so unaware. However, I, as well as many others, could delete the app today and have no withdrawal. Do I think you have to play it just because "everyone else" is? Absolutely not! Although you do not have to be a Pokémon enthusiast to enjoy the game, it definitely helps. If you don't like Pokémon, then please do not feel as if you must partake to be relevant in the current media. Is "Pokémon Go" ruining us? That is up to you. As someone who enjoys the game, I believe that if you exercise common sense, then the game can be a very positive and enjoyable experience. Don't let the game consume you. In the end, it is just an app. Everything has a life cycle and just like "Angry Birds," there will come a day when none of this matters. So instead of focusing on the characters you're catching, try focusing on the memories you are creating.

And to any of my fellow trainers out there, remember to stay safe, take a break every so often and don't waste your Pokéballs on Weedles.