. As a long time educator and Director of Technology, I wanted to weigh in on this new Pokémon Go craze! I see a lot of adults on social media complaining that kids are walking around staring at their phones too much and Pokémon is just a "bad" thing. If I remember correctly, my mother said the same thing about my brand new portable TV set! Her mother told her that she was going to be taken away by Satan if she didn't stop listing to that "sinful" rock-n-roll music. Yes, times have changed, but have they really? I think may of the complaints are coming from adults that really do not understand the concept. I, an American currently living and working in Brazil, cannot even play the game but have thoroughly researched it before I decided to give my opinion. Here are some of my tips that can help you understand:
Positives-
1. Kids are getting outdoors instead of hiding in their rooms in front of the TV.
2. They are learning- yes believe it or not, they are learning navigation, GPS and map skills
3. They are smarter than you think! They don't necessarily have to stare at their phone all the time! Kids are smart and have notifications set up and ways to get around. I've been seeing posts of kids riding bikes, outside with friends, and just collaborating for the first time in a LONG TIME!
4. It's summer break for kids! Let them be 21st century kids. Like I said before, generation after generation of parents have complained about something new they just did not understand.
Some things I would suggest-
1. Check your child's google account they are using. Make sure it's one they don't use frequently. The company is claiming they are not gathering personal information but I am a bit concerned. The way around this is to just create a play google account you don't care about.
2. Talk with your child about safety. Make sure they have notifications set up, so they can walk around frequently and wait for a jiggle in their pocket. Suggest they even carry it in a pocket instead of their hand. Especially if they are riding a bike. Also talk to them about being aware of their surroundings. The game can totally entrance them, so talk with them about awareness not only of other people but road obstructions, poles and other things than can cause injury. Being aware of where your children are is SO important. They can become very caught up in the game and finding "Just one more Pokémon" and find themselves lost or in unfamiliar territory. Give them boundaries and don't allow them to just wonder without those boundaries
3. Play with your child! YES have them show you how to play. Get OUTSIDE with them! Take them to a great location; hiking, a park, a new and safe area that you have wanted to check out. Play together! Catch those Pokémons as a family!
Cynthia Reneau
Director of Technology
Pan American School of Bahia
Bahia Brazil
Positives-
1. Kids are getting outdoors instead of hiding in their rooms in front of the TV.
2. They are learning- yes believe it or not, they are learning navigation, GPS and map skills
3. They are smarter than you think! They don't necessarily have to stare at their phone all the time! Kids are smart and have notifications set up and ways to get around. I've been seeing posts of kids riding bikes, outside with friends, and just collaborating for the first time in a LONG TIME!
4. It's summer break for kids! Let them be 21st century kids. Like I said before, generation after generation of parents have complained about something new they just did not understand.
Some things I would suggest-
1. Check your child's google account they are using. Make sure it's one they don't use frequently. The company is claiming they are not gathering personal information but I am a bit concerned. The way around this is to just create a play google account you don't care about.
2. Talk with your child about safety. Make sure they have notifications set up, so they can walk around frequently and wait for a jiggle in their pocket. Suggest they even carry it in a pocket instead of their hand. Especially if they are riding a bike. Also talk to them about being aware of their surroundings. The game can totally entrance them, so talk with them about awareness not only of other people but road obstructions, poles and other things than can cause injury. Being aware of where your children are is SO important. They can become very caught up in the game and finding "Just one more Pokémon" and find themselves lost or in unfamiliar territory. Give them boundaries and don't allow them to just wonder without those boundaries
3. Play with your child! YES have them show you how to play. Get OUTSIDE with them! Take them to a great location; hiking, a park, a new and safe area that you have wanted to check out. Play together! Catch those Pokémons as a family!
Cynthia Reneau
Director of Technology
Pan American School of Bahia
Bahia Brazil