St Mary & St Thomas’
Church of England Primary School
Executive Principal: Mrs. Kirsty Haw B.Ed (Hons)
Headteacher: Mrs. Lyndsey Lewis BA (Hons), M.A.
6 September 2016
Dear Parent/ Carer,
POKÉMON GO
As part of our updates to parents about internet safety and emphasising the importance of children
being supervised online, we would like to draw your attention to the latest summer craze that was
launched in July in the UK - Pokémon Go.
You can access a Parent’s Guide available on the NSPCC website: www.nspcc.org.uk and this can be
accessed via a link on our school website. The NSPCC were so concerned about the potential risks
that they wrote to the creators of Pokémon Go urging them not to launch in the UK unless they
could protect children and have been quoted saying “it is a potential gateway for paedophiles”.
What is Pokémon Go?
Niantic (offshoot of Nintendo) have released Pokémon Go on mobile devices. Pokémon (pocket
monsters) are little creatures that can be captured by Pokémon trainers using a small spherical
device called a Poké Ball. There are different types of Pokémon, with different moves abilities and
statistics. The aim of the game is to capture as many Pokémon and to win as many “gyms” as you
can to become a Pokémon Master.
Pokémon Go is one of the first popular games to use “augmented reality” – a kind of cross between
real life and an online world. The games make it look like Pokémon appear in real life places by
using the GPS and camera on your phone.
The Risks
Meeting People They Do Not Know Face to Face
The game is designed to bring people together. Usually strangers!
Physical Risk
It is easy to forget to look where you are going, but users need to be careful of where they will end
up. There are already stories of people being lured to places that are not safe for children.
The game encourages players to walk around their neighbourhood to catch Pokémon, but the
makers have warned players to “be alert at all times and stay aware of your surroundings”.
Please remind your child to be aware of their surroundings, near roads for example, and to never
speak to people they don't know. This is because Pokémon can appear at random, sometimes in
Believe, Achieve, Shine
Barton Close, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 2HS
T: 01744 678010 / Teaching School 01744 678101
F: 01744 678013
E: [email protected]
W: www.schools-online.co.uk/stmary
Registered in England 962600
St Mary & St Thomas’
Church of England Primary School
Executive Principal: Mrs. Kirsty Haw B.Ed (Hons)
Headteacher: Mrs. Lyndsey Lewis BA (Hons), M.A.
dangerous places like near roads. Your child needs to be aware of the dangers of meeting strangers
who might also be catching Pokémon in the same area as them.
Most importantly, ensure your child is aware of people who might use 'lures' or ‘beacons’ to draw
people to a particular area which could be dangerous.
There has also been an increase in muggingss due to people being distracted on their phones.
Expense
Pokémon is available to play on a mobile device, meaning you don't need a specific console to play
it. This means the game is more easily available for people to play, especially as it is free to
download - (although there are in-game options to buy things with real money). Poké Coins can be
purchased and can be very expensive.
Access to Personal Data
Pokémon Go asks for personal information such as date of birth and an email address, which users
are asked to enter or receive through social media accounts. Parents have the right to contact the
creators to stop them from using their personal information.
Key words in Pokémon Go
Pokémon
A virtual pocket monster
Pokéball
What you use to capture a Pokémon with.
Pokéstop
Places of interest which show up as blue icons on the map - where players can collect free items.
Gym
A place where players can battle each other’s Pokémon.
Team
When you reach level 5 you can choose to be part of one of three teams, Yellow, Red or Blue.
Lures/Beacon
An item in the game which can be used to draw rare Pokémon to a particular pokéstop.
Anyone can place a lure or Beacon!
We will be discussing e-safety with the children in school but urge you to ensure you also discuss
how to keep safe with your child.
Yours faithfully
Linda Smith
Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Believe, Achieve, Shine
Barton Close, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 2HS
T: 01744 678010 / Teaching School 01744 678101
F: 01744 678013
E: [email protected]
W: www.schools-online.co.uk/stmary
Registered in England 962600