When we were younger (yes, that means you, 90s kids), we lived in a much simpler decade, and we did the things other people did. We liked what other people liked, and we definitely played whatever games other kids were playing. The majority of us 90s babies played a little something called Pokemon. It became one of the most popular “inventions” of all time! We had everything Pokemon related: from collector's cards to lunch boxes, and everything in between. Of course, we had the cards and battled our friends. We collected them and made trades, and most of us probably had the video game on our Gameboy Colors.
By the time the 2000s rolled around, we were over it. We stopped playing the and collecting the cards. A newer version of Pokemon came about, and we were not fans of it because, after all, we were older and more mature back in the 2000s. Sure, some kids started playing and collecting the new Pokemon, but no, not us. That is, until now!
Fast forward to the summer of 2016, Pokemon Go was launched and the 90s kids are ecstatic! Even my 20-something boyfriend became obsessed with it and now plays it wherever we go! Pokemon is back, but at what cost? Many may think that Pokemon Go has been a huge success and while it is wildly popular, the game has had a multitude of adverse effects. Not everyone can achieve the level of Pokemaster and unfortunately, many players are finding themselves in hot water (literally) while trying to catch them all.
A couple in Arizona was arrested after abandoning their two year old son in hopes of finding a Pikachu. 20-year-old college student David T. Mastrototaro-Baermude was tased by police after refusing to leave a Tampa park after close. Pokemon Go is also to blame for numerous robberies. It is reported that crooks and cons are using the app to locate players at popular Poke Stops and robbing them of their valuables. Additionally, insurance companies are expressing their distaste in the game, as Pokemon Go has been cause to various fender-benders and hit-and-run accidents. Not to mention, the game has a multitude of pros and cons that could have various psychological consequences for players in the future. Lastly, Pokemon Go is sending players into some weird locations, and there have even been reports of people finding dead bodies on their hunt to expand their Pokemon portfolio!
Although, it's fun and brings back feelings of nostalgia, Pokemon Go is not all that it's cracked up to be. As with anything, there are various problems that come along with it. With the proper updates and preventative measures, Pokemon Go can be one of the greatest apps this generation has ever seen. But until then, please be careful when you do play the game and in the meantime do not get in trouble with the law while trying to catch them all!
