Games Like Pokémon Go: Are Real-World AR Games Safe?

Kids today don't just sit on the couch and play games; they go outside. Mobile games like Pokémon GO and many others give kids a reason to run around and explore. Kids could be at parks, parking lots, malls, streets, and even at places you wouldn't expect them to go.

This is where the anxiety starts. While a kid is outside playing Pokémon, parents no longer think about screen time. Parents think about where their kids are, who is around them, and what could go wrong. The fear is not about the game; it is about the world that the kid is stepping into.

This is the reason many parents are asking the question, are games like Pokémon GO safe for children?

What Are "Games Like Pokémon Go"?

Games like Pokémon Go are examples of location-based games or AR games. Location-based games are mobile games that mix the real world with digital gameplay. They use your phone's location to make kids walk around, go outside, and explore their surroundings while they play. Some of these popular real-world mobile games include:

• Pokémon Go
• Jurassic World Alive
• Pikmin Bloom
• Ingress
• The Walking Dead: Our World

For parents, the real worry isn't what the game is about; it's how children play the game. To play the game, children cannot sit still; instead, they have to get up and walk to the locations mentioned in the game.

The specific characteristics of location-based games are as follows:

• They use real locations instead of imaginary maps
• They use activity-based location services to get to a certain park or a public location
• Children must walk through their neighbourhood in order to continue playing the game
• A lot of the gameplay involves no direct supervision from the parent

In short, children must go to actual locations to play. That direct movement in the real world is where the safety concerns begin.

Why Games Like Pokémon Go Are Risky

Games like Pokémon Go might look harmless, but the real risk is that they pull kids out of the safety of home and into situations they may not be ready for. The danger isn't the screen — it's what's happening around them while they're playing.

Kids wander far from home

These games get kids to move during play. With each location they reach, a new target pops up. They literally keep walking; kids don't think about distance, time, or if they're far away from home. They may think they're at a safe distance, but they could actually be far away.

They follow the map, not your rules

As the phone directs players to different locations, the game takes control of the children. The house rules, the boundaries, and the "don't go there" instructions or any sort of guidance lose importance. The children follow the game's map instructions over the parents' rules.

They ignore calls and messages

Ignoring calls and text messages becomes common for children as they become focused on the game. They completely lose track of time and may not even notice a phone alert or ringing. Parents calling and texting children in these situations causes them to become very worried.

They don't notice what's happening around them

Kids often have their heads down and their eyes stuck on their phones. They don't notice traffic, people around them, or even warning signs. That kind of distraction becomes especially dangerous in busy, crowded, or unfamiliar places.

They go into quiet or unfamiliar places

To get to their destinations, kids go to places that are usually considered unsafe, such as parks, parking lots, and even alleys. The game dictates where the player goes, not their safety.

Why Screen-Time Parental Control Apps Are Not Enough

Most parents have some kind of parental control app on their child's phone. Most of these control apps have features like tracking daily screen time, tracking or blocking usage of certain apps, and placing restrictions on certain websites. These features are useful if the risk is online. But what if the risk is offline and more tangible?

When a child is at a playground or is at a park and is unable to be observed, limiting screen time and blocking apps does not help parents to understand the situation. It does not help parents to know the following:

• Where your child is right now
• Who is nearby
• Why did they suddenly stop responding
• What is happening around them

In these scenarios, you do not need to be concerned about less screen time. What you truly need is to have an idea of what is happening in the real world. Most parents have a tough time putting their feelings into words, but that feeling is what AirDroid aims to eliminate.

How to Protect Your Kid in the Real World?

When kids are outside playing games like Pokémon Go, parents often feel torn between giving them freedom and staying alert. Children move through real streets and public places while focused on their phones, and that uncertainty creates stress. This is why AirDroid exists: to provide parents visibility in the real world when kids are playing location-based games, AR games, and other real-world mobile games.

Here are the important features that assist parents in these circumstances:

• See their live location: With AirDroid, parents get a real-time location of their children, so they can make sure their children are safe and not wandering outside designated, safe areas.
• Get alerts when they leave safe zones: Parents can place safe zones on the map and set boundaries around those safe zones. They can place restrictions around schools and homes and receive alerts if their kids are outside those boundaries.
• Listen to what's happening around them: If a child stops responding to a parent, they can listen to ambient sounds to gain context and see if their child is in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.
• Watch their surroundings if something feels wrong: Parents can use remote camera access to see what is going on around the child and whether the environment is safe or needs immediate attention.
• Check their phone activity if they suddenly go quiet: Parents can access phone activity, messages, and notifications and see what caused the child not to communicate and respond calmly.

All of these features are designed to help parents feel less stressed, allow them to give timely assistance, and stay informed while their children enjoy the real world through games.

Are Games Like Pokémon Go Safe for Kids?

The games may not be considered dangerous; however, the potential safety threats that children face while playing games like Pokémon Go are not harmful on their own. Playing with someone they trust, such as a parent or older sibling, a child will often play these AR games without any serious problems.

Risk increases in real-world settings

Risk increases when children play location-based games in public areas. Parks, parking lots, shopping areas, and even quiet streets are risky places because of traffic, strangers, and unsafe environments. When a child is focused on a screen, they might not see danger even if it is close.

Distraction changes awareness

Location-based AR games on mobile devices encourage children to ignore the outside world, including calls or texts, or instructions. It reduces situational awareness about dangers, which may ultimately lead to accidents.

Lack of supervision matters most

When children are not supervised, these kinds of games can pose a serious risk. They might cross busy roads, climb fences, or wander into places they shouldn't just to keep playing. That's why kids need clear boundaries, regular check-ins, and adults who know where they are.

These risks don't have to turn into panic. With simple rules, good communication, and a little real-world awareness, families can keep kids safer while they play.

Final Thoughts

Location-based AR games, like Pokémon Go, encourage children to interact with the real world in a unique way; however, without parental supervision or awareness, these games can bring about real-world dangers. The solution here is not to ban these types of games but to involve parents. The right guidelines and communication, along with AirDroid Parental Control, can provide visibility that helps children safely enjoy the new world of mobile real-world games.

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