AUTHOR=Yip Yuk Chiu , Yip Ka Huen , Tsui Wai King 

TITLE=Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 68 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605630

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1605630

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=A location-based game (LBG), Pokémon GO, recently garnered significant attention from young people. This study aims to explore the insights of their experiences with this game and their motivations for playing, in order to investigate their perspectives on the game’s implications for the public health of their communities. Accordingly, ten qualitative focus group interviews were conducted. Young people, aged 18–25 years old (n = 60), were recruited in Hong Kong. We analyzed the discussions using a thematic approach. The following five themes emerged: missing out or self-regulation, childhood memories, extending virtual-reality exploration, more time spent outdoors exercising, and social interaction. This study establishes a path for deeper analysis of the motivational factors of both young people and their cohorts in societies worldwide, that indicates increased participation in LBGs like Pokémon GO. This relatively new phenomenon of LBGs may impact players’ physical and social activity levels, and behavior. Nonetheless, certain negatives were identified (such as the possibility of addiction and behavior resulting from a loss of self-control), that deserve health practitioners’ attention, for future study into possible public health interventions.