Pokemon Go Safety Concerns

It was only a matter of time. Let's face it: people just can't multitask safely when they are face-first in their smartphones. The number of texting-while-drivingaccidents--and even texting-while-walking accidents--should adequately attest to that. But the explosion of Pokemon Go, a game in which users stareat their smartphones to go on a virtual scavenger hunt for Pokemon, shows that people continue to underestimate the dangers of walking around in thereal world while their heads are in a virtual world.

Despite warnings about not using Pokemon Go while driving, there have already been a number of accidents related to driving while distracted by PokemonGo. Two men in California were hospitalized after falling off a cliff while hunting Pokemon.In Missouri, three teenagers were arrested after they began using the Pokemon Go beacon feature to lure players to their location. Once the players arrived to capture Pokemon, the teens robbed them.Other Pokemon Go-related robberies include instances where users were playing the game, walking around with their phones out and unaware of their surroundings,giving robbers opportunity to confront them and rob them at gunpointof their phones and other belongings.

Police departments have also begun asking players to be smart while using Pokemon Go. Yukon police say that they have responded to approximately 77 "check subject" callsover the past week, with more than half of those related to people playing Pokemon Go. And the Duvall Police Department in Washington has taken toFacebook to remind players that lurking in the bushes outside the police stationin the middle of the night isn't exactly a good idea.

If you are a Pokemon Go player, there are some simple safety tips to keep in mind for your own protection and for the safety of those around you:

• Do not play Pokemon Go while driving.
• Do not go to abandoned buildings or other unsafe locations in search of Pokemon.
• Always be aware of your surroundings, including people, terrain, and potential blind spots that could make you vulnerable to an assault.
• Do not play Pokemon Go alone late at night.
• Be respectful of other people's property and do not trespass.
• Pay attention when crossing streets, walking on or near stairs, walking near bodies of water or ledges, etc.

Pokemon Go's "augmented reality" is an example of technology hitting the market before all of its implications can be considered or anticipated. The legal implications of Pokemon Go in personal injury cases and even criminal defense are likely to become more apparent in the days and weeks to come.