By now, I’m sure most of you would be familiar with the latest buzz to hit the mobile gaming world: Pokémon Go. Not only has it managed to engage the public like never before, but many users are also claiming that it is helping to improve their mental health. Players have taken to social media to share how it has helped them ease their depression and anxiety by getting them out of the house, encouraging social interaction, and even boosting their level of physical activity.

While it appears to be beneficial to some, it’s important to remind ourselves that the game was not designed with mental health in mind, and such claims may be premature despite people’s experiences. The game has only been available for a month and there is no hard evidence to say if it actually improves mental health.

Still, it’s hard to deny its appealing qualities and innovative methods of engaging players. In fact, it brings to mind a recent conference on technology and civic life, where I also spoke. Themes included technology as a double-edged sword and, as I discuss in my talk (featured below), the need to ‘step off the digital treadmill’ and treat our attention as a resource to be spent wisely.

There’s never been a better time to reclaim technology. While the latest gaming fad may serve the digital economy, let’s start to think about how we can use technology to serve and amplify our well-being, as well as our humanity.