Pokemon Go
A guide for families with key information about ‘Pokemon Go’, including the age rating, key terminology, risks and instructions for enabling parental controls and safety settings.
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How Pokémon Go works
Pokémon Go is a free game by Niantic. Using a device’s camera and GPS location settings, the game sends players to real world locations to catch, collect, train and fight Pokémon characters. Pokémon Go uses augmented reality to make the experience more realistic.
Users can play with friends by:
- sending friend requests
- trading Pokémon
- sending gifts
- joining raids (battles in a gym)
- taking snapshots
- battling each other
When used safely, this game is about fun and exploration
Niantic games have also released ‘Campfire’ which is a separate social app. Users can link this app with their Pokémon Go accounts. It allows users to:
- make new friends
- directly message people
- join communities relevant to their interests
The ‘Campfire’ app is not recommended for younger users.
Minimum age requirements
Pokémon Go has an age rating of PEGI 7. Apple App Store rates the game as being suitable for players aged over 9.
If your child is under 13, you will have to create and verify their account. As part of this process, you will be able to set up your child’s account, allowing you to:
- review the information shared on their account
- monitor the new friends made and interacted with during gameplay
Features and terms
Friends
A multiplayer feature of Pokémon Go that allows users to track one another and compete challenges together.
Poké Ball
A ball trainers use to collect wild Pokémon creatures.
Poké Coins
This is the in-game currency. Players can earn ‘Poké coins’ during play or buy them.
Poké Gym
This is the location where trainers battle each other.
Poké Stops
‘Poké Stops’ are locations where trainers can pick up additional provisions for their Pokémon. These are usually located at places of interest within the real world.
Pokémon
The creatures that players collect and train.
Raid Battles
These battles occur when a high-level Pokémon takes over a ‘Poké Gym’. Players then have to team up to challenge the ‘Raid boss’ to take back the gym. Up to 20 players can join the battle and must be at the location of the gym to take part.
Trainer
The avatar (icon) each player creates to collect, train and battle Pokémon.
Trainer code
The unique code given to each player who sets up an account. Sharing a trainer code with other users allows players to interact with each other within the game.
What Pokémon Go offers
Encourages physical activity
Pokémon Go can motivate young people to go outdoors and get moving. Pokémon appear in the real world, meaning users must go on walks around their local area to advance in the game.
Managing risks
Harmful contact with others
While outdoors playing Pokémon Go, young people may come into real life contact with strangers. Pokémon Go also allows its players to interact with each other in-game through battles and trading. These interactions are based on who your child is friends with.
You can reduce the likelihood of harmful contact with others through these actions.
Get yourself a Pokémon Trainer Club account and link it with your child’s account
Setting up your own Pokémon Trainer Club account and then linking your child to it with a child account, will allow you to limit social features on the game.
Review friends list
Check who your child is friends with on Pokémon Go, and ensure they know and trust all these friends in real life. Enquire about the platforms they use to interact with friends from the game, as some players engage in Pokémon Go Discord channels, which bring their own risks.
Managing who your child comes in contact with outdoors
If you have a younger child, play the game alongside them to ensure they stay safe outside. For older children, advise them to stay in safe areas they know, and to not talk to strangers while playing.
Talk about safe socialising
Discuss with your child what information is and isn’t ok to share online. Teach them to avoid interacting with strangers, whether online or offline. Let them know they can always come to you for support if someone is making them uncomfortable.
Use reporting tools
Encourage your child to use the reporting feature if another user is behaving inappropriately. This will help make the platform safer for everyone.
Outdoor safety
Your child could be distracted while playing the game, looking at their device to locate Pokémon, rather than paying attention to their surroundings.
Teach your child to stay aware of their surroundings. You can enable a vibrate setting on the app, which will alert your child when they are near a Pokémon, meaning they don’t need to constantly look at the screen.
Settings to protect your child
These settings can help your child stay safe while playing Pokémon Go.
Supervise your child’s account
Set up a parental account
- On your device, open Pokémon Go and select ‘New Player’.
- Select ‘Pokémon Trainer Club’.
- Select ‘Create an Account’.
- Complete the standard account setup process.
Set up a child account
- In your Pokémon Trainer Club settings select ‘Add a Child’.
- Fill in your child’s details and login details.
- On your child’s device, open Pokémon Go and select ‘New Player’.
- Select ‘Pokémon Trainer Club’ and input your child’s login details.
- On the next page, select ‘I’m the Parent and(or) Guardian’.
- Select ‘Continue as Parent or Guardian’.
- Edit your child’s parental settings, then select 'Continue’.
- Select’ Back to Pokémon Go’.
Report a user
- On the main page, select the ‘Poké ball’ icon.
- Select the ‘Settings’ symbol in the top right-hand corner.
- Select the ‘Help’ option which has a speech bubble icon.
- Choose the ‘Contact us’ option and put ‘Report a player’ into the message box.