Randonautica App can Lead Students on Dangerous “Adventures”
- Author
- Josh Ochs
- Published
- Mon 20 Jul 2020
- Episode Link
- https://SmartSocial.com
The Randonautica app markets itself as “the world’s first quantumly generated Choose Your Own Adventure reality game.” It might sound enticing to students, but safety is a major concern with this app. The app prompts adventurers to set out with a goal in mind. Then it sends them to a randomly generated set of nearby coordinates. These random locations often include private property. Some teenage “Randonauts” were recently led to a beach, where they discovered a crime scene.
Read our app guide: https://smartsocial.com/randonautica-app/
What is the Randonautica app?
- The app uses a phone’s location and quantum random number generators to take users on “adventures”
- It’s free to download and there are no age requirements
- Users can “manifest” the type of experience they want to encounter by typing in an intention or what they hope to find
- The app then generates a set of random GPS coordinates for the user to travel to
- “Randonauts” then post their discoveries to TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and other social media networks
How does it work?
- Users get 10 free locations, then must pay for “points” to continue
- Other in-app purchases are available, including an upgrade that removes water locations like lakes and rivers
Where is the Randonautica app available?
- Google Play: E (everyone)
- Apple’s App Store: 4+
- Developer’s Website: Randonautica (Based in USA, owned by Randonauts, LLC)
- Safety Guidelines
Why should parents care?
- Since the Randonautica app encourages users to go to random locations, there is no way to know if those locations are safe
- The perimeter can be changed in Settings to allow the app to generate locations that are several miles away from a user
- Although the Randonautica app regularly directs users to private property, the company recommends no trespassing
- This can be confusing to tweens and teens
- It might entice students to break the rules if it seems like they’re being dared to go on an adventure
- The company behind the app is also making a YouTube reality show where Randonauts are portrayed as brave and daring
What can parents do?
- Urge students not to use this app
- Teach your student it is illegal to go onto private property
- Discuss the other dangers of traveling to random locations
- If your student really wants to go on a “make your own” adventure with friends – suggest some safe games or books
- If older teens insist on using the app, make sure they read the Randonautica’s 10 safety tips, which include avoiding dangerous areas and never “Randonauting” alone
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