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Have you or your friends downloaded the new Pokemon Go app? Exciting isn't it?! The recent Pokemon Go phenomenon sweeping the world reflects the power of mobile technologies in shaping human behavior. People are engaged more than ever in this app, chasing virtual characters around cities—through parks, buildings, and in homes.
While controversy has arisen given sensitive areas in which Pokemon Go enthusiasts have ventured to capture characters, a larger issue is worthy of note. That of behavioral addiction. A recent New York Times Facebook Live feed showed reporters asking random pedestrians in Central Park whether or not they felt as though they were "addicted" to the Pokemon Go app. People often laughed, stating that they did not feel as though they were addicted given that they stopped to eat and sleep.
Addiction to mobile technologies, however, is no laughing matter. Research shows that those with a behavioral addiction—including gaming addiction—have similar brain dysfunction to those with cocaine or gambling addiction. The impact of mobile apps such as Pokemon Go on the brain is less evident at this stage. Given the rapid nature in which this app has spread throughout the world, however, it is clear that we are in need of further research on this topic—not only from a neurobiological perspective, but from the impact on society in terms of social and work life.
The Pokemon Go craze illustrates how fast such apps can sweep the world. Shouldn't we know about how they impact individuals and society as we move forward?
