5 tips for parents of Pokémon Go kids

Jinny Gudmundsen

Special for USA TODAY

If your kids aren't already playing Pokémon Go, they will want to soon. This free augmented-reality app from Niantic sends players outside to walk around collecting Pokémon. Pokémon Go has grown explosively since its release. It looks like it's the next Angry Birds.

Brothers Lance and Max Santana and Ryan Reinoso play Pokemon Go at the Santa Monica Pier.

For those unfamiliar with the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon are cute fictional creatures. In this game, players become Pokémon trainers. To find the little monsters, you create an avatar that appears on an accurate map, using your device's GPS. As you and your avatar take a walk, the game augments your reality to make it seem that animated monsters randomly appear in your surroundings. As you look at the real world through your device's camera, you may find a Pokémon in your living room, in your garden or down the street. In addition to collecting hundreds of Pokémon, you will pick up virtual gear by visiting real-world places that the game has deemed Pokéstops. And you can join teams with other players to train and fight Pokémon (no violence is shown) in locations called "gyms."

A beginner's guide to 'Pokémon Go'

Pokémon Go isn't an app created for young kids. Rather, you have to be 13 years old to sign up. But younger children can play if their parents add them to a parental account. The game has a number of positives, such as encouraging people to walk, explore their surroundings and meet new people. But for children, there are risks as well. Here are five key things parents need to know.

1.The game leads kids to private property. Parents can use Pokémon Go as a teachable moment to explain why some areas — even those that have Pokémon hiding within them — can't be reached. Most young kids don't know about trespassing, so this is a good time to explain the concept. As I walked my suburban neighborhood, I could see enticing Pokémon antics (leaves and grass rustling nearby) on properties of people I didn't know. I also found a Pokéstop in a nearby office building, showing that it had a lovely mural to see. Unfortunately, the mural was in the middle of a private business. The employees were nice, but they did mention that they were being interrupted daily. Parents need to remind their kids that just because the game places a Pokéstop somewhere, it might not be appropriate to play the game at that location.

2. Stranger danger is real. Part of what makes this game fun is that it is social. You are out in the world, looking for things. Loads of other people are playing it at the same time, and since there is a geocaching element — certain Pokémon are found at specific locations, as are Pokéstops and gyms — a camaraderie arises out of meeting others looking for the same thing as you. Most people enthusiastically share what they know. And since the game is vague on a lot of specifics of how to play, this sharing is crucial to your enjoyment.

But not all people are nice, and their motives might not be pure. There have already been robberies reported at Pokéstops. Others are worrying about pedophiles playing. Plus, one of the in-app purchases allows you to place a lure at a location to attract Pokémon. That lure also serves to attract players, including kids.

Because of the game's social aspect, parents need to supervise younger children while they play. Play with them or have them play in an adult-managed group. For teens, have them play with a friend, and impose other rules (such as not playing late at night or at remote places). All kids need to be reminded to never give personal information to strangers.

3.Beware of in-app purchases. Pokémon Go is free to download, but this game makes money via in-app purchases. However, this is a game that can be enjoyed without ever buying anything.

Since Pokémon Go is a free mobile game that monetizes by offering in-app purchases that can cost as much as $99.00, parents might want to turn off their kids ability to make these purchases.

The in-app purchases in this game can be steep. It is possible for a player to spend $99 a pop on Pokécoins. For families with young children playing, you can avoid in-app purchases by turning off the ability to make them from within your device's settings. For families with older kids, this game can be a springboard to discussing entertainment budgets. Since most of the purchasable items can be attained for free at Pokéstops, have your teens explain why they wish to buy something instead of playing the game to attain it.

4. Pair up to defuse distracted walking danger. Sadly, I was not surprised to read about two players falling off a cliff near a beach while playing Pokémon Go. As an adult, I found it easy to get distracted when hunting for Pokémon. The game uses an interesting method of tracking, providing you with vibrations and visual clues when you are getting close to a hidden Pokémon. But this method requires a lot of backtracking and turning around, which makes it easy to forget about your real surroundings. As you focus on your goal of catching that elusive monster, you might not remember that you are next to a busy street.

Because Pokémon Go creates "distracted walking," it is better to play it with a parent or friend. Take turns being the Pokémon Trainer while the other is the guide in real life.

5. Realize it's addictive, but that's not all bad. The Pokémon brand's tag phrase of "Gotta catch 'em all" is front and center in this game. In trying to catch "just one more," kids will be playing for hours. That translates into a lot of good walking (although it is also possible to drive to some Pokéstops and park). While parents will applaud all of the exercise, this is a game about staring at your screen. Families may need to revisit rules around screen time and the hours during which kids can play.

While kids are in the infatuation stage of this new game, parents will discover that their children are willing to go just about anywhere. Time for back-to-school shopping? No problem, because malls are great places for Pokémon hunting. Want to take a trip to a historic site that your children had previously deemed boring? The kids will be waiting for you in the car. However, getting them to come home might be another matter.

Players of Pokémon Go can learn some history when visiting Pokéstops such as this one at the Forestville Fire Station in Great Falls, Virginia.

Here's the bottom line: With Pokémon Go, the good sides of the game outweigh the bad, as we all need more exercise, serendipity, and connection to others. With these common-sense precautions in place, families can enjoy catching Pokémon.

Jinny Gudmundsen is the Editor of www.TechwithKids.com and author of iPad Apps for Kids, a For Dummies book. Follow her @JinnyGudmundsen.

Featured Weekly Ad