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Child commission warns about danger of Pokemon Go games
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A stuffed Pikachu toy, a Pokemon character, is surrounded by children during a Pokemon festival in Tokyo on July 18. "Pokemon Go," a compulsive smartphone game had not been made available to the Japanese public as of July 20, although a rumor circulated on the internet that it would come out on that day. (AP/Koji Sasahara)
T
he National Commission for Child Protection (KPAI) has warned parents about the dangers that may threaten their children while playing Pokemon Go, Nintendo’s new mobile augmented-reality game app.
While paying the game, children may go to dangerous areas like roads, rivers and quiet places that could endanger them because those who play the game may not be aware of the hazards in the surrounding areas, KPAI commissioner Rita Pranawati told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Thursday.
“Any accident is possible while they play Pokemon Go. They could be hit by cars on the roads or be kidnapped if they go to certain places,” Rita said, adding that parents have to ban their children from accessing dangerous spots while they try to catch the Pokemon monsters.
Separately, Koentjoro, a psychology expert from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, said it is not necessary to ban games like Pokemon Go because there have positive aspects, but parents need to discuss with their children about the way they allocate their time.
The parents, he added, may also ask the children about the benefit of playing Pokemon Go and why they were interested in it.
“Pokemon Go is not an interactive game, which may stimulate children to be emotional. It is one of the negative impacts of the game,” Koentjoro added.
Pokemon Go has become a very attractive game both for children and adults. The government, howver, had also warned about possible negative impacts of the game, particularly because with their smartphones that are equipped with cameras and GPS, players may enter restricted areas and steal information. (rez/bbn)
