Officials are initiating a new push to protect young 'Pokemon Go' players from predators.

The mobile game, which has become a summer sensation, brings scores of people together in real life to catch virtual Pokemon. But officials say the game can become a dangerous combination when it comes to children and sex offenders gathering together in public.

On Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the New York state Department of Corrections to ban sex offenders on parole from using, accessing or downloading 'Pokemon Go' and similar games.

Cuomo and other officials say the game gives sex offenders a virtual road map to children. The new directive applies to nearly 3,000 sex offenders on parole.

Diane Harvey, the director of the Safe Center of Long Island, says one in five children across the country are sexually abused and the new legislation is a positive step toward helping to stop abuse.

She does caution that it is still important for people playing the game, especially children, to be aware of their surroundings at all times.