Parenting With Pokemon GO

Parenting With Pokemon GO

Parenting a child who likes Pokemon GO can be a great opportunity in teaching kids how to regulate themselves in front of screens.

To many parents, Pokemon GO is the first taste of how screen time can involve benefits for both parents and the kids. In particular for NYC families, where hoofing it is most families primary source of transportation, incentive to get a kid from point A to point B as quickly as possible can create an extra 30 minutes in a day you never knew you had.

But with all games, there is a downside. How do I get them to get their face out of the screen when I need them to? And if they have a major meltdown are those extra 30 mins worth 20 mins of kicking and screaming? There are other risks as well. Games of any type can be addicting. To watch a child while they have their face down in a screen on a beautiful spring day, or while crossing a street, or while at home instead of reading a book, is a genuine cause for concern for all parents.

But the reality in today’s world is that they will not only want screen time, but need it to be successful in today’s technology driven economy. They will be exposed; the question is, can we use this exposure to teach them healthy habits?

With that understanding, Pokemon GO is a great first game to get them exposed to.

As with all video games, boundaries are important. And what makes Pokemon GO a great game is that some of the easiest boundaries are built into the game. So let’s go over the boundaries you should set while allowing you kids to become successful Pokemon GO trainers.

  • Despite the Pokemon catch phrase “Gotta catch em all”…. You actually don’t. Make this clear to your child. Sometimes they will just need to let Pokemon GO. (See what I did there with my witty letting things go reference.)
  • It’s a game made for walking, if you are not walking you are not playing.
  • Do not alter your routes so you can catch a Pokemon. Not while you are leading. If they would like to lead the way and time permits, you will follow them. This allows you to monitor them while they walk with a screen. Teach them to glance at it, but to be aware of where they are going. If they can’t walk responsibly with a phone, they can’t lead, and thus they can’t go get that Pokemon they desperately want that is halfway down the block.

If they are having trouble keeping their eyes off the phone, give them what I like to call a “Reality Time Out”. I take the phone from them for some arbitrary amount of time (e.g., 1 Pokestop, 1 block), and mostly joke with them about how they have to “breathe air, look at birds, etc.” With a sense humor infused, it usually goes over well, and give them another shot at it when the “time out” is over.

Overall, the game is a great way to get kids outside and deal with the sometimes glum surroundings of NYC. If you can set proper boundaries and limits, you can make it work for both you and your kids. It’s also a great bonding experience. Install it on your phone and talk about what you caught. Most of today’s Pokemon GO players are actually adults and NYC is a hot spot for Pokemon GO. You will be surprised how many people you will meet going to get groceries or medicine or walking the dog who use Pokemon GO as part of their day-to-day chores.

Metro Game Lab runs occasional outdoor Pokemon Go events to help kids get outside and experience the world around them. If you are interested in attending one, sign up for our mailing list.