The new app game Pokémon Go has sky rocketed in popularity this past week and continues to grow. The game allows its users to go outside and collect Pokémon using GPS and location setting. Estimates of about 9.5 million users are playing it daily (Source: Recode.net) who are roaming the streets. But is this game safe? The opening-loading screen says to be aware of your surroundings but are users doing so?

Already there have been recorded incidents of people being hit by cars, causing accidents and putting the lives of themselves and others in danger. What is alarming about the game is the fact that the user may use it while driving. There is no automated shut off or an alert that the game picks up if you are moving at a certain speed. When there have been warnings to not text while driving, this is causing a more serious situation.

There needs to be an automated shut off for the game so the user does not put themselves into danger. The point of the game is to go outside and move around, not become lazy and put lives in danger. As a Pokémon Go user myself, I love this game! I remember when the cards, the Gameboy game, and the TV show came out and I was totally into the craze of it. My mom even collected all the special gold cards from Burger King so my brother and I can have them. We had everything and collected all that we can. My brother and I also went to the movies to see the Pokémon 2000 film, which we admit to crying to and enjoyed very much.

The idea to go walking about and catching these strange animals is the coolest idea ever. The app inspires us to go outside and start a healthy movement, which is a huge positive to the game. In the game itself you must hatch eggs by walking so much of a distance. As much as health advocates have been pushing for kids to go outdoors to play, this game has done it within a day. You’ve probably already noticed the amount of people walking about with their phones. This game has awakened my childhood dream to go out and to catch them all but as an adult today safety comes first.

You are taught in Driver’s Education that one must be aware of your surroundings and must be focused on the road at all times. Living in North Jersey, you have to be aware of the wildlife that crosses the road as well as any other beings on the roadway. This new game is an easy distraction to its user whether driving or walking. Take advice from the loading screen and be alert of your surroundings.