There is no denying the craze is here and it’s here to stay. Yes, everyone is going bananas over this game. Pokemon Go was released without ban and became an overnight sensation. At first I was amused, because I thought it was pretty bizarre seeing groups of people crowding around “busy” catching Pokemons.
Although to be honest, my first thought was – this can’t be safe. There are enough cases of parental negligence while being distracted by their phones.
What is Pokemon Go
Pokémon Go (stylized as Pokémon GO) is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality game developed by Niantic for iOS andAndroid devices. In the game, players use a mobile device’s GPS capability to locate, capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, who appear on the screen as if they were in the same real-world location as the player. – Wikipedia
My sister plays this and all of a sudden I’m hearing her spewing Pokemon Go Lingo like lures, eggs and gyms. My sister has always been a fan of the cartoon from the very beginning, I on the other hand was well on the way to aunty-hood.
The Yay
- Relevant parties can be rest assured that this app is in no way “haram“
- People from across any number of demographic lines come together to share in the real thrill of the game’s virtual hunt
- The game is appealing to kids with autism or Asperger’s because of its consistency and structure although he admits that no quantifiable research has been done on the effects of Pokémon Go – Dr. James McPartland
- Strategically placed lures that helps increase businesses
- Potentially healthy because it upped physical activity!
The Nay
- My MOM plays Pokemon Go more than me!
- Questionable security issues: the app currently takes “Full Account Access” for Google
- Teachers are allowed to confiscate phones of students playing Pokemon Go
- RM300 fine for playing Pokemon Go while driving
- Signboards warning will be put up within mosque compounds
Yay or Nay? You decide..