Sex offenders on parole in New York are likely to be banned from playing Pokemon Go, in a bid to protect children.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is directing state authorities to prevent nearly 3000 registered sex offenders now on parole from playing the game that’s sweeping the world.

It is an effort to safeguard children who play.

“As technology evolves, we must ensure these advances don’t become new avenues for dangerous predators to prey on new victims,” Cuomo said.

The Democratic governor has also sent a letter to software developer Niantic requesting help prohibiting sexual predators from playing the online game, where players roam through the physical world searching for virtual Pokemon creatures.

New York already prohibits high-level offenders on parole from using social media.

It has also been proposed that game manufacturers take steps to ensure the virtual Pokemon creatures don’t pop up near offenders’ homes.