Angelina Kerner
Author
Pokemon Go and Safety
You may ask yourself? Why is Angelina writing about Pokemon Go? It has nothing to do with her work as an author, writing tips, or book reviews.
Good question.
Here’s the answer:
What is Pokemon Go?
http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-go/
Taken from the website above:
“Pokémon GO is built on Niantic’s Real World Gaming Platform and will use real locations to encourage players to search far and wide in the real world to discover Pokémon. Pokémon GO allows you to find and catch more than a hundred species of Pokémon as you explore your surroundings.”
I have several friends who are playing the game and I’ve only heard good stuff about it – like meeting new people, getting out of the house, and walking a lot. However, last evening, something happened to make me think that’s not all fun and games. It can make people feel uncomfortable.
Yesterday, I was taking a bus from work to home and I noticed a guy sitting across from me and texting. I ignored him, well, because it’s normal for people to text, tweet, and use their apps while walking and being on the bus. Please do not walk and play with your phone. So, I was really surprised to notice out of the corner of my eye of him raising his phone and point it where I was sitting. I noticed that he pressed something and then smiled. Talk about creepy! I really wanted to say something like – Did you just take my photo? But, of course, that would not be appropriate so I ignored him and he took another photo… I think. There’s no proof, but it certainly felt like he took a photo. So, all the way to my house, I felt uncomfortable and annoyed.
It wasn’t until I was finished with cooking lasagna and checked my personal Facebook page for updates that I saw a photo. Someone took a photo of my friend flipping him off, with a Pokemon at the bottom of the screen. A logical solution came to mind about the guy on the bus. What if? What if he wasn’t a creep, but playing Pokemon Go? That didn’t make me feel better and it also doesn’t help that I don’t play those type of games so I don’t know how it works. However, I do know that I don’t want people ‘catching’ Pokemon near me and take photos. My friend who flipped off his friend knew what his friend was doing and was able to react. I didn’t know and it made me feel not safe when safety is important when taking the bus. I still don’t know- did the guy take a photo of me because he’s a creep, because he was playing Pokemon Go, or he didn’t even take my photo.
Now, you guys know why I brought up the topic.
I don’t want to be creeped out and I don’t want my photo to be taken because of some Pokemon. The idea behind the game is interesting and shows just how much technology has evolved, however, it has security and safety issues. Because the platform is for smart phones, you can be at the stop sign, moving your phone all around the place and someone on his bike would see that you’re vulnerable and steal it. Another thing that can happen is for you to walk into a poll. Just think about the time when Texting happened!
I would love for you guys to comment and let me know what you guys think about this topic.
Thank you!
2 Comments on “Pokemon Go and Safety”
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Angelina Kerner 
It is so bizarre to see people wandering around like zombies with their phones and aiming them at things. The post-apocalyptic writer in me is like, “Is this how the end begins? To the sound of Poke balls exploding?” It is super creepy to say the least.
You bring up a good point though, where does all of this visual information get stored and for what purpose (i.e. do the game creators use this information to gauge styles and trends, collect demographic information, or other personal information). It’s weird too because I play video games, I love them. They are interactive stories. But this is a different beast altogether. I wish I could install an anti-poke device on my phone that worked as poke-repellent. Then if someone is aiming their camera at us, we know it’s for nefarious purposes! Keep your head on a swivel – awesome post.
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“I wish I could install an anti-poke device on my phone that worked as poke-repellent. Then if someone is aiming their camera at us, we know it’s for nefarious purposes!” – Me too!!!
Thanks!
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