Pokemon Go has been out since early this month and it immediately took over the world. Kids, or should I say people, have been obsessing over this iPhone game that puts pokemon into their real, everyday life. Since the release of the game, much like anything else popular, both lovers and haters have exposed themselves. People love the nostalgia from playing a game based off of something they grew up on. They also love the real world infusion, you have to get up and go find the pokemon, all over the world. Those that don't love it, though, complain that it's for children, regardless of the fact that most players are around 20 years old. Or they complain that it's dangerous, walking around aimlessly with your nose in your phone. Essentially, they're finding anything to try to turn this game into a bad thing. In reality, this game is doing nothing but good for everyone.
1. Getting People Outside
People will complain until they're out of breath that kids don't go outside enough. Then, when an app is released that encourages and even forces kids to go outside, they complain some more. In this game, you have to walk to hatch your eggs, generally anywhere from two to 10 kilometers, forcing anyone who wants to hatch their Pokemon egg to go for walks a lot more than they would have before. Pokemon are also randomly dispersed throughout the game, so if you want to find one, you can't hang out in your house, you've got to go out looking for them.
2. Battles Mental Illness
This is unknown to a lot of people, but this app has been drastically helping people battle mental illnesses, such as depression. Many people with depression have said that the app has helped them more than expected. It forces them to get up, get out of their house, and do something that they can focus on that's also fun.
3. Brings People Together
Since the release of Pokemon Go, people of all ages are searching all over their towns for pokemon. Since Pokestops and gyms are strategically placed, everyone goes hunting in the same areas. Parks and college campuses are popular areas for hunting and I've seen all ages in either location. I've gone to the nearby college to search for Pokemon with my older brother, my younger brother, my friend, and my boyfriend. I've talked to strangers about nearby Pokemon, where to find them, gyms, and their teams. I don't think I've ever gotten along with my brothers this easily. I've seen people of all different ages, races, and social statuses talking with one another about the app, people who, most likely, never would have spoken before. This app has brought so many people closer together and just simply made people act friendlier towards one another.
Pokemon Go is doing exactly what everyone has always wanted younger generations to do, go out, be happier, and talk to people more face to face.
