The popular new “free” app Pokémon Go has just as many kids and adults excited as rolling their eyes. Some see it as a harmless new obsession that gets people active and engaging with the outdoors (while still staring at their phones, of course). Others point out that it encourages people to do stupid things like drive while playing the game, trespass, fall into ditches, or even walk into traffic.
Regardless of which of these camps you fall into, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: the game and the potential for participants to waste money. Here are four ways this happens.
Data Usage
According to the app’s makers, the game draws anywhere from 2 MB to 10 MB of data per hour. If you’re not familiar with data usage, that’s a lot! The main draw on data is the game’s GPS location tracking — a key requirement for coordinating players’ actual location with the presence of virtual Pokémon, Pokéstops, etc. If you don’t have an unlimited data plan, you or your kids’ new Pokémon habit could land you with hefty overage charges. Of course, there are ways to avoid this:
- Limit play to areas with Wi-Fi
- Set a data limit or data alerts on you and your kids’ phones
- Limit your playing time without a Wi-Fi connection to only a couple hours a day at the maximum
- Upgrade your data plan to avoid overage charges
- Limit or drop other data-sucking apps so you’ll have more to use on Pokémon Go
In-App Purchases
This is a money-waster gamers are familiar with. Sure, the game is free, but there’s always the lure of paid items that improve your performance or just make your character look cooler. These range anywhere from a few dollars to $20 a pop, and the game makes it “convenient” to pay for them with a linked card. Boom — the game is no longer free. If you want to spend the money and make room in your discretionary spending for it, that’s your choice. If you’d otherwise be spending money on more expensive games, movies or entertainment, the little you spend on Pokémon Go might make it a cheaper hobby for you. The point is to be aware of what you’re spending — even a few dollars at a time adds up.
“Purchase-Required” Pokéstops
Businesses have been capitalizing on the way Pokémon-hunting is increasing traffic into their stores and restaurants. Some actually pay a fee to create a ‘lure’ that draws players in for a set amount of time, while others are putting up signs that say “their” Pokémon are only available for paying customers. Businesses might be making money off Pokémon this way, but not the people paying for snacks, food and other services just to catch a rare critter. Again, pay attention to what you and your kids are spending, and limit purchase-required Pokéstops.
Home/Business Liability Insurance Premiums
This last one might surprise you, but it’s a real concern for those who don’t play the game. Many home owners and business owners have complained about increased traffic on their property and concerns that someone will get hurt. Even if it’s not your fault if someone wanders into your yard and gets hurt, any claim could influence your liability insurance premiums. There’s no guarantee intent Pokémon players will notice, but it can’t hurt to pull out those “no trespassing” signs. While you’re at it, fix the fence, lock the gate, and make your yard as safe for blind wanders as possible.
Pokémon Go comes with positives and negatives, just like any other cultural craze. In time it will pass, but meanwhile, watch these four areas to make sure it’s not wasting your money.
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{ read the comments below or add one }
Pokemon Go is not wasting our money… How much have you spent playing the game? Or how many new friends you have??
Thing is, all these stupid things people have been doing are not necessary.
You have a fairly wide radius to catch the pokemon that appear on your screen. Walking into traffic, stepping into someone’s yard, etc… Absolutely not necessary.
And don’t spend money on the app. There is zero reason to. The point of the game is to get up and go. Find some pokestops. Get free pokeballs, raspberries and potions.
It’s all about being responsible and reasonable.
Also… if you have T-Mobile, apparently we are basically using free data for Pokemon Go.
I haven’t confirmed this as I do a lot and have a fairly small data plan but that’s just what I heard.
I’m sure people will appreciate knowing that they won’t get overage charges by playing Pokemon on their T-Mobile network.
It sounds like you play. Do you still enjoy the game?
Never attempted to use this one as it could lead to unproductivity.
All games could be unproductive but then again, many people who play video games can think pretty fast too so it’s not all bad 🙂
Had no idea that people were trespassing on to other private property just to play Pokemon Go. That’s definitely a no for me. These days it’s easy for people to overreact to the slightest thing and that harmless fun can turn into a dangerous activity for sure.
I’m glad the craze has already died down. The stories you hear of people going nuts while they play this game is insane!