Appendix:Pokémon GO Player's Guide/Safety

While we are typically in full control of the worlds our Pokémon journeys take place in and the two-dimensional characters whose pre-determined dialogue we interact with, the very nature of Pokémon GO encourages you to venture out into the real world, where you will come into contact with other players and members of the public, so it's important you play in a way that is safe and respectful to others. Here is a selection of pointers to help ensure that you—and others—have the best possible Pokémon GO experience.

Be aware of your surroundings

When booting up the game, you will be greeted by a comical warning advising you to be aware of your surroundings while playing. While you won't be stumbling into any angry Gyarados, you must always remember that you are in a public place and to take all necessary precautions to avoid bumping into other pedestrians or worse.

We recommend using the Pokémon GO Plus wearable accessory or placing the game into Battery Saver mode with the phone in your pocket, but if you prefer having your phone on hand, simply keep your eyes looking forward and only check it at intervals where it is safe and not obstructive to do so. When attempting to capture a Pokémon, make sure that you're not in the way of other people—as soon as one appears on the map, tapping it will instigate a battle even if you're not in its exact indicated position.

While exploration is a key aspect of the game, it is important that you stick to locations you know are safe and avoiding areas you aren't familiar with or know to have less than charming reputations.

Player interaction

As you play Pokémon GO, it is highly likely that you will come into contact with other players and although the game has proven social advantages, it is important to respect each individual's own privacy and playing style. For example, like with MMORPGs, there will be players who love interacting with others but also those who prefer to play solo. It is our responsibility to ensure that our fellow Trainers feel comfortable while playing and be free from any situations they may deem uncomfortable or intimidating.

While Gym territory control is a key aspect of the game and a little rivalry between the three teams (Mystic, Instinct, and Valor) can be a healthy part of the fun, players should remember to keep competition civil and be accommodating of all players regardless of their allegiance.

For more information on interacting with players regarding Gyms, please visit our Gym Players Guide.

Gyms and PokéStops

The majority of PokéStop and Gym locations are based on those submitted by users as portals for Ingress, Niantic's previous mobile game. This has led to some being in locations normally inaccessible to the general public such as schools and private property. While these areas may host an unoccupied gym or the Pokémon you've always wanted, you should avoid locations where you wouldn't normally be able to access legally—trespassing is a criminal offence.

Players should also exercise discretion when playing near sensitive sites such as burial grounds, places of worship, hospitals, and memorials.

Lure Modules

When used at a PokéStop, Lure Modules will attract Pokémon and thus players to that particular area for half an hour, with the location marked on your map. Players may leave these as a courtesy to other passing Trainers or because they expect to be in the area for a while, so they can be an ideal way of meeting other people and hopefully new friends.

Your experiences with PokéStops and Lure Modules will no doubt be happy ones, but just in case, you should exercise caution when deciding to approach one. We recommend sticking to those that have been pre-arranged with friends or are in safe areas within clear public view and avoid visiting those in unsafe areas or after dark.

If you notice any suspicious behavior around a PokéStop, we strongly urge that you report it to the relevant authorities.

Playing at night

While we generally advise against going out and playing Pokémon GO after dark, players who choose to do so must be especially aware of their surroundings and safety. You should stay in well-lit public areas in safe neighborhoods and ideally be wearing high visibility clothing. You should also be considerate of other people by keeping noise to a minimum and take care to not inadvertently draw suspicion to themselves. While playing at night, being a part of a group as opposed to by yourself is advised.

While it is important at all times of day, it is especially important to ensure your phone is sufficiently charged in case of an emergency, so carrying around an external power supply is recommended.

Driving

Do NOT under any circumstance play Pokémon GO while operating a vehicle, as it will endanger the lives of yourself and others. The road should have the driver's undivided attention at all times, so if you use a car to assist with Egg hatching or travelling between PokéStops and Gyms, please only do so as a passenger.

Health

By motivating players to go outside and explore, Pokémon GO can be a perfect source of exercise or companion to an existing regime, but while it's encouraging to see people so enthusiastic about hatching Eggs and exploring new areas, you should remember to be mindful of your body and not overexert yourself. If your legs start to ache for example, that's a sign that you should wind down your journey for the day. By keeping to a regular routine however, your body will gradually become more accustomed to walking greater distances, improving your overall physical health.

Players should wear clothing suited for the weather and comfortable shoes while exploring, as well as ensuring they remain hydrated. Sunscreen should also be worn if applicable—after all, Burn Heal is harder to come by in the real world!

Parents and guardians

While Pokémon GO will be nothing but a joyous and positive experience for almost all players, we strongly advise that all minors and vulnerable persons be escorted by a responsible adult while playing the game. In fact, you could even use it as motivation to have a leisurely family stroll! If you let them venture out on their own or with friends however, we recommend setting a strict boundary of where they are and aren't allowed to go.

If you're worried about large, accidental bills owing to the game's microtransactions, you can activate Family Sharing on iOS or a Google Play Family Library on Android which, among other benefits, will require you to approve all purchases requests from your "family group".

This article is part of Project Walkthroughs, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive step-by-step guides on each Pokémon game.