Yes, I can tell you where all the local PokeStops are and I can kind of explain what a squirtle is. I also am proud to report that Kid 5 "controls the gym" at Orgill Park.
If none of that sounds familiar to you, then I'm guessing you don't have children or haven't turned on the news these past few weeks.
Pokemon Go is all the rage with the kids these days. And by kids I'm including more than a few adults I know who are also playing the game.
I had a few errands to run this evening, and as has become the norm, those errands took about 20 minutes longer than they should have because I spent extra time driving around so Kid 5 can get to some extra PokeStops. As he was getting back in to my car another car pulled in behind us with three young 20-something guys. They asked Kid 5 if he just took the gym.
"Yes!", he said. "Are you going to take it back now?"
These young guys told him no, they were going to let him keep the gym because they don't steal from kids.
Kid 5's smile was so big at that moment it made me smile too. And I was so impressed with the other guys that they let a younger kid "control a Pokemon gym" for just a little longer.
Yes, there is competition in Pokemon Go to level up, but there also seems to be a camaraderie among players. I've heard them tell each other where to go to find a rare Pokemon and share tips on the best PokeStops.
But the news doesn't show that stuff. More likely you've seen reports of kids walking into the street and getting hit by cars because they were too busy looking at their phones in search of Pokemon. Or a few instances where players were robbed while playing Pokemon Go. There's even a video going around that shows a police car being sideswiped by another car. When the driver gets out to survey the damage, his first words to the cops are "that's what I get for playing this dumb ass game."
Sure, all those examples are bad. But kids have been running into the street chasing balls forever. Bad people are going to prey on the innocent no matter what. And distracted drivers are a menace whether it's Pokemon Go, texting or just simply not paying attention.
But, this game has done some really great things too.
Today I saw two different news stories about Pokemon Go. Children's hospitals across the nation are using the game to help children have a somewhat normal social life while confined to the hospital. And a nursing home is helping their elderly residents learn the game as a means of encouraging them to get up and walk around for exercise.
In my own home, I've experienced these near miracles:
- Kid 1 brought his new girlfriend home to meet Kid 5 and they all went together to hunt Pokemon
- Kid 3, who leaves for bootcamp in just a few days, has been spending extra time with Kid 5 willingly helping him find new Pokemon
- Kid 3 has been letting Kid 6 use his phone to play Pokemon Go
- This has all happened with NO FIGHTING amongst the siblings (the biggest miracle of all)
Kid 5 is too often the child who I am afraid is being left out. He's also the one that has had the hardest adjustment these past few years.
So if a simple little game and a few extra minutes is all it takes for some happy, peaceful family time, then yes, I'm a fan of Pokemon Go.
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