What is Pokemon GO and what is the location risk?

Pokemon GO is Niantic's location-based augmented reality game. Players physically walk around the real world to catch Pokemon, spin PokeStops, and join raids at gyms. The game requires persistent access to precise location while it is in use, and many features encourage real-world meet-ups with other players.

Are raids and PokeStops a meeting risk?

Raids and busy PokeStops can become congregation points where adults and children meet to take on a boss Pokemon together. Many PokeStops and gyms are placed at parks, churches, train stations, and near schools. A child who turns up alone to a raid may find themselves among unfamiliar adults.

Can my child be contacted by strangers?

Pokemon GO does have friend codes and trades, and Niantic Campfire (the companion social app) is increasingly part of the experience. In-app chat is limited but trade requests and friend invites are common, and many players exchange Discord handles to coordinate raids.

What should I do if there is a problem on this app?

Use the app's in-app report and block tools first - this is usually the fastest way to remove content or restrict an account. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101. The NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) and Childline (0800 1111) are free and confidential. For a UK reporting decision tree, see /reporting and /tools/reporting-route-finder.

Pokemon GO Safety Guide for Parents

A practical guide to Pokemon GO's location-based AR play, including raid meet-ups, PokeStop congregation points, and in-app purchases.

Official age

13+

We recommend

10+

Developer

Niantic

Risks

Location sharing

In-app purchases

Overview

Pokemon GO is the long-running location-based augmented reality game from Niantic, in which players walk in the real world to find, catch, and battle Pokemon. The game requires precise location access while in use and rewards players for visiting PokeStops, gyms, and raid locations that map directly onto real streets, parks, and landmarks. Niantic provides a separate Niantic Kids portal for under-13 accounts that gates social features. The big distinguishing risk against most other apps is that the gameplay actively encourages children to physically go somewhere and meet other players, sometimes adults they do not know.

How children use it

Children and teenagers play Pokemon GO to walk around their neighbourhood catching Pokemon, hatch eggs by covering distance, and join scheduled raids and Community Day events. Many use Discord, Niantic Campfire, or local WhatsApp groups to coordinate raids. PokeStops and gyms at parks, churches, town squares, and outside schools become natural meet-up points. In-app spend uses PokeCoins, which can be bought with real money for incubators, raid passes, and event boxes.

Main risks

location sharing online strangers online to offline meeting risks in app purchases public place safety

Recommended privacy settings

Niantic Kids Account

Location: Sign-up flow -> Use a Niantic Kids account for under-13s

Set to: On for under-13s

Gates social features, friend codes, and trading until a parent unlocks them. Required by Niantic for under-13s.

Device Location Permission

Location: Phone Settings -> Privacy -> Location -> Pokemon GO

Set to: While using the app

Stops the game accessing location in the background. Never set to 'Always allow'.

Friend Codes and Trading

Location: In-app Settings -> Niantic Kids parent dashboard

Set to: Off until parent approves each contact

Stops your child trading with or adding strangers met via Discord or at raids.

In-App Purchases

Location: Phone Settings -> Screen Time / Family Link -> Purchases

Set to: Require approval

PokeCoin bundles can be expensive and Community Day boxes are easy to repeat-buy. Approval-required purchases are essential.

Niantic Campfire

Location: Separate Campfire app -> Settings

Set to: Off for under-16

Campfire is the social companion app where players chat about raids. We recommend keeping it off for younger children.

Parent actions

essential

Set up a Niantic Kids account for under-13s and walk through the parent dashboard together

Time: 20 minutes

essential

Agree a rule that your child never attends a raid alone - either you go with them or a known adult does

Time: 10 minutes

essential

Lock in-app purchases behind a parent approval on the device before play starts

Time: 10 minutes

recommended

Walk a typical route together and identify which PokeStops are near schools, parks, and pubs so you both know which to avoid late in the day

Time: 30 minutes

essential

Talk through what to do if an unknown adult tries to start a conversation at a raid - leave, tell a trusted adult, report to 101 if it felt unsafe, and CEOP if it was online afterwards

Time: 15 minutes