Play Safe Guide

Look up from your phone constantly. Most "Pokémon Go style" injuries happen when players walk into things while staring at the screen — curbs, lamp posts, other people, even open manholes.

• Stop walking when you tap to catch.
• Check for cyclists, scooters, and cars before stepping off a path.
• Don't wear noise-cancelling headphones at full volume.

Rotmons may appear near reservoirs, lakes, rivers, canals, the sea, or flooded quarries. Reservoirs in particular are extremely dangerous — steep slippery sides, sudden deep drops, and freezing water even in summer.

• Do not swim, wade, or climb fences to reach a Rotmon near water.
• Do not go onto frozen ponds, lakes, or canals.
• If a spawn looks like it's in water, treat it as uncatchable and move on.

Never play while driving. Pull over and park safely first. Don't catch Rotmons from a moving vehicle, bike, e-scooter, skateboard, or while crossing a road.

• Use crossings. Look both ways. Phone goes in your pocket.
• Don't step into the road to reach a spawn on the other side.
• Passengers can play — drivers cannot.

Railway tracks, tram lines, and level crossings are off-limits, period. Trains are quieter and faster than you think. Never cross tracks except at a designated crossing, and never go onto a platform unless you're a paying passenger.

Stay back from cliff edges, quarries, building sites, and steep slopes. Don't climb walls, fences, scaffolding, or rooftops. Don't go off marked paths in the mountains or near coastlines.

A Rotmon on the map does not give you permission to enter someone's garden, a closed park, a military base, a hospital, a school after hours, or any restricted site. Trespassing is illegal in most countries and dangerous everywhere.

Brain Rot IRL is not for use at school during class, exams, or on school grounds without staff permission. Phones in pockets, eyes on the board. Catching Rotmons can wait until you're home.

• Don't play during lessons, assemblies, or exams.
• Don't play on the school run if it means crossing roads while looking at your phone.
• You'll see a reminder banner during typical school hours (Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm).
• If your school has a no-phones rule, follow it — the game doesn't override that.

If another player makes you uncomfortable — harassment, inappropriate name, spam, or anything unsafe — use the Report button on their profile, friend request, battle, trade, or lore message. Reports are reviewed by our team and the other player is never told you reported them.

You can also Block someone, which stops them sending you friend requests, trades, or battle challenges, and hides their lore messages from your feed.

In a real emergency, always call your local emergency services first.

Don't play alone late at night in unfamiliar areas. Tell someone where you're going. Keep your phone charged. Trust your instincts — if a place feels unsafe, leave.

• Be aware of phone-snatching in busy or touristy areas.
• Don't argue with people who tell you to leave a location.
• Respect local communities, wildlife, and quiet residential streets.

Take breaks. Drink water. Wear sun protection in hot weather and warm layers in cold. If you have a medical condition that could be affected by walking long distances or sudden activity, check with your doctor first.

Players under 13 must have a parent or guardian's permission. Under-18s should not play alone in unfamiliar areas, after dark, or follow Rotmons into isolated places. Parents: please walk through this guide with younger players before they start.