On 6 Aug, it was announced that PokemonGO was launched in Singapore after a long anticipated wait.
Ever since its release, people all around the city state can be seen walking around and stopping in the middle of nowhere with eyes glued to their phones, trying to “catch ’em all.”
The game has seen an increase in people getting more physically active but has also seen a fair share of drawbacks. In search for the different Pokemon, people can go as far as to venture into the dark alleys and unfamiliar neighbourhoods of the city, which in the case of the other countries where PokemonGO is available has resulted in robberies and injuries.
There were also cases reported of people finding dead bodies or missing persons as well.
The Singaporean authorities were quick to give their advises and tips to the public to ensure that everyone enjoys the game safely.
For example, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said: “The Pokémon GO craze has seen reports of accidents, injuries and even crimes in countries where it has already been launched. The Police would like to advise Pokémon GO players to enjoy the game safely.”
They have also stated the following tips:
- Be aware of personal safety when looking out for Pokemon, and play in pairs or as a group
- Watch where you are walking, be aware of surroundings, and always walk onto roads after looking
- Be aware that you are potentially sharing data with others; potential criminals may use the opportunity to lure victims to fake Pokestops
- Educate children of the danger of meeting strangers at Pokestops
- Never reveal personal information and watch out for fake apps or cheat tools, as cyber criminals can access personal data to commit fraud or hack into phones with viruses and malware
They advised that driving or riding any mobility devices is not encouraged while playing the game. Also, to not trespass onto restricted areas and private properties, nor take photos of restricted areas.
“The Police urge all players to stay safe at all times in your search to ‘catch ’em all’. Please do not endanger your life or personal safety.”
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National water agency PUB has posted a Facebook post and encouraged players to be safe and responsible while playing the game as some Pokestops are located at or near waterways.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force has also posted on their Twitter account: “No trespassing into bases & camps to catch #Pokemon! Intruders, our Force Protection Troopers will catch ‘em all!”
The Singapore Army had warn aspiring “trainers” not to stray into restricted areas with their Facebook post.
The National Gallery Singapore was also in to give their take on the safety tips and advises. In the Facebook post, they stated that players should be careful to not bump into other visitors and to refrain from damaging artworks or spaces.
All in all, the game that was inspired by a famous, long-running Japanese animation that had won the hearts of 3 generations is definitely one that can be enjoyed by the different age groups.
The above safety tips should not be taken lightly and parents should always practice caution, while not limiting any amount of fun the game aims to deliver.
Mummies, have you tried the game yet? Share your experiences with us!
Source: CNA