7 tips for keeping your kids safe while playing Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go has been a hit with the olds, but there are plenty of ways to make sure your kiddos can also partake in the phenomenon that's sweeping the nation.

Unlike just about every other video game in the world, Pokémon Go actually requires your kids to venture outside! This can be a fantastic opportunity for your kids to learn about the city in which they live while having fun, but it also means you'll have to take some basic safety precautions in mind.

Here are some tips for how to make sure your kids can enjoy Pokémon Go safely.

Play with them!

A lot of parents are fearful about their kids playing video games, but that mostly stems from a lack of understanding what they're actually playing.

So, if you have any trepidations about your little ones playing Pokémon Go, the best way to better understand the game is by playing it with them! It's surprisingly fun and easy to grasp once you get the hang of it.

The game itself doesn't do a particularly good job of explaining how to play, but luckily we have tons of articles on the site to help you get started.

Make sure the parental controls on their phones are up to date to prevent them from spending money.

Pokémon Go is one of those smartphone games that allows players to spend real money on items if they choose, so make sure you have the correct settings enabled to prevent your kiddos from spending all your hard-earned cash while you're not looking.

For example, on iPhones and Androids, you can require that any purchases require the input of the account linked to the phone.

On iPhones, you can disable purchases altogether by going to "Settings"> "General"> "Restrictions"> "Enable Restrictions"> Scroll down and disable "In-App Purchases."

Teach them to watch where they're walking.

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Teach your kids not to be a Pikachu. At least, as far as his unsafe smartphone practices are concerned.

This is a good lesson for smartphone use in general, but it's especially important for Pokémon Go. Since playing Pokémon Go is so intricately linked with a player's location in the real world, it can be tempting for kids — and full-grown adults, if we're being honest here — to keep their eyes locked on their screen as they watch their avatar step closer and closer to their nearest Pokéstop.

But, as with texting or playing other smartphone games, make sure your kids know to only look at their screens while they're standing still. Otherwise, they might fall into a pond, which is a real thing that actually happened to someone playing Pokémon Go.