Like Pokemon Go? Please read this!

 Though the app has been lauded for its health benefits, several  countries have cautioned their citizens about the adverse effects of  playing the game. 

 Since the release of Pokémon Go earlier this month, users in the  United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have gotten into car accidents, been robbed, and stumbled upon dead bodies  in rivers, their attention compromised by the need to catch ’em all.  The app has since been released in 38 countries, and some government  officials appeared to have learned a thing or two from the experiences  of the app’s first users. France’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health Marisol Touraine issued a warning Monday in a tweet addressed to “all trainers,” encouraging Pokémon Go users to exercise caution while using the app. The app debuted in the country Sunday. 

 “To all the trainers: Go out, walking  is good for your health! But be very attentive to avoid accidents.  Happy hunting! #PokemonGo.”To  use Pokémon Go, players must physically wander around real-world  locations in search of Pokémon characters. The app taps into a  cellphone’s GPS and camera to make Pokémon “appear” against the backdrop  of users’ surroundings as they move around. The physical component of  the game has prompted many users to increase their overall physical  activity, with early reports praising the game for its ability to encourage daily exercise.But  the app has taken users to some strange places, including cemeteries  and strip clubs. Some locations have proven to be more dangerous than  others; two men fell off an ocean bluff while attempting to catch a Pokémon in San Diego.Several  government officials and organizations in countries where the app is  available have issued warnings about potential health hazards. Turkey’s  health ministry advised users  against playing the game during peak daylight hours in a Facebook post  earlier this month, cautioning against too much sun exposure. The Israel  Medical Association echoed  similar warnings Sunday, advising users against playing the game  between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and encouraging the use of sun protection.  Japan’s National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for  Cybersecurity released a nine-point flier with safety tips for players when the app went live last week.In Bosnia, a nongovernmental agency warned  citizens in a Facebook post of the dangers of playing the game in  dangerous areas, citing the risk of players wandering onto old landmines  that have existed since the 1992 Bosnian War.