‘Pokémon Sleep’ video game could ‘make money off insomniacs’: expert
nypost.comcatch some Z’s! A new mobile app called “Pokémon Sleep” is under scrutiny after several behavioral addiction professionals slammed the new video game for trying to profit off of insomniacs, reported Newsweek.The app, which was released to the public in July, has already been downloaded by millions of fans. “In the world of Pokémon Sleep, Pokémon with the same sleep type as you will gather around as you catch some Zs,” reads the app’s official description. “So discover all the various different sleep styles that Pokémon can have as you aim to complete your Sleep Style Dex.”Those who use the app are automatically given a Snorlax — a very large and sleepy Pokémon — and incentivized to “raise Snorlax big and strong” by sleeping and befriending more Pokémon who, in turn, give Snorlax berries to eat.
The game reportedly tracks a user’s breathing patterns and movements through the smartphone’s microphone and accelerometer. Once the player has woken up, they will receive rewards based on the quality of sleep.Several experts have expressed their alarm over the fact that the video game may have “unintended consequences” such as causing users to compete with each other.“Is it going to help you sleep more?
No, because you’re not doing anything different other than lying on the pillow with a phone next to your head,” said Dr. David Chandross, a faculty member at Toronto Metropolitan University. “I think Pokémon is trying to make money off of people that are insomniacs.
I don’t think they’re offering a real solution. It might be helpful. I distrust the motivation.”Chadross added that a better concept might be an app that sets “achievable tiny goals.”“Going to bed a little bit earlier, and tracking it, and then build that into a.
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