Depending on your feelings about Pokémon Go, you're either sick of hearing about it or can't get enough. Since its release, people have been taking to the streets in search of Pokémon. But not everyone is looking to be the very best. In fact, many people believe the app is childish and a waste of time. They openly mock its players on social media and scoff at them as they walk the streets. As a lover of the game, I may be slightly biased, but I think the shaming and ridicule is a bit much. After all, it's fine to not play or like the game, but no one should be made fun of for something they enjoy.

The main argument I hear against Pokémon Go is that it's a waste of time. And you know what, it totally is. But so is pretty much every other app that's been popular. Before it was Pokémon, it was Clash of Clans and Candy Crush. Even before I had a smartphone, I remember rushing home from school to check on my Farmville account. Yeah, it's not fantastic that we spend so much time on our phones and computers, but Pokémon Go is no worse than any other Internet fad. At least this one is getting people outside. If I weren't out playing Pokémon, I would be at home binge watching Netflix or locked in my room playing a video game that didn't require exercise. I am a college student with a job, but I too have free time where I like to relax and do things that I enjoy. And yes, there are some people who are trespassing and loitering while playing the game. There are certainly some immature and dumb people who play, but those kinds of people are in all areas of life. But the whole group of trainers shouldn't be judged by those few people.

There are also some benefits to playing this game. And no I don't mean things like the studies that show it helps with autism and depression (although that is pretty neat). I'm talking about small, everyday things. I have never been closer to my little sister than I am now that we play it together. Being four years apart and almost polar opposites, we've never been able to spend much time together with out fighting or just getting bored of each other. But now we go on walks and drives for the sole purpose of catching Pokémon. We will set a lure at a restaurant or coffee shop and hang out and talk while we wait for them to show up. It's unfortunate that it took an app to bring us together, but it worked regardless.

I'm not saying everyone needs to love this game. In fact I'm kind of saying the opposite. Everyone should love what they want regardless of what others feel about it. I'm tired of being called a child, lazy, or irresponsible because of a game I play. I just want to go out and have a little fun without being made fun of for it. And I'm sure every one else who plays it does as well.