Pokémon Go’s summer release in the US has made young adults more active than ever, but might prove to be distracting come August when schools begin again. Since it’s release on July 6, Pokémon Go has taken over the internet, establishing a lingering presence amidst recent headlines. Social media sites are littered with both amateur memes and professionally created graphics.

What sets Pokémon Go aside, however, is its influence in the real world. The game requires players to stay active, move around, and walk long distances. Teenagers are more active and are more willingly going out to pursue social interaction.

“Pokémon Go is cool and interesting because it takes something that everyone has loved for so long and brings it into the real world,” Dalton Williams ‘17 said.

Restaurants are using pokémon and pokestops to lure players into purchasing food, while other businesses are simply using Pokémon in their marketing campaigns to increase relatability. Whatever the case, the Pokémon Go frenzy isn’t limited to only players of the game, nor does it seem to be dying down anytime soon.

“I don’t really know how long it’s going to last but I think it’s amazing how pervasive it is now and how it literally swept the nation,” Devika Kumar ‘17 said.

You practically can’t step out of your house without seeing people with their noses buried in their phones while running around. It seems like nearly everybody is playing Pokémon Go, but no surveys have been able to reach a consensus as to how many people are actually playing. Estimates are as low as 9.5 million and go as high as 21 million people.

Data shows that more than 40 percent of the adults who downloaded the mobile app are older than 25, and 58.8 percent of app downloaders are between 18 and 24 (the study does not include people under 18). Based on this info, it’s not absurd to assume that teenagers represent the largest consumer group of Pokémon Go, raising concerns about how the game will affect high school life once the summer is over.

“I think once school starts, people will be a little less enamored because they won’t have as much free time, or ability to go hunting for Pokémon,” Kumar said. “I really hope there’s more than just pidgey and rattata near Westwood.”

Will Pokémon Go motivate students to skip classes? Will phone usage rules have to change? How do we maintain the current level of physical activity if people are forced to stop playing the game?