09 Mar What I Hate About Fortnite
My usual calm and compliant nine-year-old turns into a different boy when armed with his controller and headset. He automatically adopts the persona of a testosterone-fuelled, alpha-male as he struts the Fortnite Terrain with his team by his side.
This is what I despise the most.
It isn’t gaming as such. In moderation, as with anything, I don’t mind it at all. In fact, I think it can be a welcome form of relaxation for children who are growing up in a busy and chaotic world. Of course, I would much rather they engaged in something more ‘wholesome’ like reading, playing outside or board games but this just isn’t the world my kids are living in. Gaming is a key player in our leisure time. My husband enjoys it and we have lived quite happily side by side with Minecraft, Fifa and Forza.
However, Fortnite is a different story.
Not only does my nine-year-old play but my other two children also play. My thirteen-year-old daughter who usually spends time in the world of health and beauty and my football mad 12-year-old have succumbed to the lure. The older ones play, probably once a day, and fortunately are able to moderate the length and frequency. They’ll nip in for half an hour and then potter off to do something else. They laugh and joke as they play.
That is fine.
What worries me is the hold it has on my nine-year-old and the way it turns him into a different person. One without reason, kindness or compassion. As soon as he gets permission to play you can immediately see the excitement and adrenalin starting to build. If the game is delayed because of an update you can literally see the steam coming out of his ears. And then he’s on. We then have a good five minutes of him calling his friends to play. Once they have established their team the mission begins and his Fortnite alter-ego emerges. During gameplay he dictates and demands, declares and despairs. The result of his complete absorption in the game leaves him in a trance like state. He’s never experienced this intense range of emotions before.
He can’t manage it. He can’t cope with it.
As soon as I feel as though the emotions of gameplay are starting to take a grip without him being able to control it, I intervene and dictate that the game over. Following the obvious protest he surrenders and after about five minutes and our happy, funny and calm boy returns.
This is what I hate about Fortnite. It changes my boy.
There has been an abundance of research about the effect of gaming on behaviours and attitudes which I have always taken with a pinch of salt. However, having now experienced the immediate impact of gameplay on my son my viewpoint has changed.
Personally, I can’t wait for this current fad to fade into the history books. For parents out there who are experiencing the same, you are not alone. Every day I will continue to restrict despite his protest.
If we all work towards limiting their gameplay maybe we can bring about the demise of Fortnite?
Who’s up for it?
Donna
Posted at 09:18h, 09 MarchI despise this game. My 2 are like junkies waiting for their next fix. It all starts so well then when I hear the shouting…the tantrums….the disagreements, like you, GAME OVER
Debbie
Posted at 10:38h, 09 MarchThis could have been written by me.. .Bradley is exactly the same and if he is not play8ng it he is watching people on you tube playing it….im glad I’m not the only parent x
Kailash Gautham
Posted at 17:16h, 24 AprilI’m sorry but you guys are looking at very special cases… I play the game and I have friends who play and we all maintain a sane, calm composure. Maybe your child is more susceptible to the game, but that doesn’t mean you “bring about the demise” of fortnite.
Mrs Brown's Blogs
Posted at 17:22h, 24 AprilHe has improved and we are managing him better. My elder two play in a manner similar to yours and can manage their emotions. It’s clearly an innovative game by the way it’s gained such popularity. I may have to change my perspective thanks to mature comments like yours!
Kailash Gautham
Posted at 17:23h, 24 AprilThat’s good to know. I hope his experience is also improving
Blah
Posted at 02:27h, 27 May“If we all work towards limiting their gameplay maybe we can bring about the demise of Fortnite?”
lol
Kerry Brown
Posted at 20:07h, 22 JuneYes, Yes, Yes!
I’m already noticing a downturn in enthusiasm about Fortnite from the children I teach.
There is hope!
Jason
Posted at 14:35h, 05 JuneI grew up gaming. I still play games. And as one parent to another, I’m concerned 9 is too young to be playing an online shooter. It triggers intense fight or flight responses, and generally facilitates coarse, racist language, even when you’re in a lobby alone with your friends due to the amped up atmosphere. There is also the sticky issue of gun glorification in the game.
Fortnite is particularly insidious, because it is a “free game” which nickels and dimes you with microtransactions.
I’ve played it a bit, it’s not actually a very good game all said…it is a fad that will eventually fade away.
Try introducing some more positive gaming experiences, like Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A beautifully made, open world game that encourages exploration and improvisation without the toxic competitive nature of Fortnite.
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of online competition, but it sounds like your son isn’t quite mature enough to deal.
Kerry Brown
Posted at 10:22h, 07 JuneThank you so much for the advice! He has taken our worries well and is now playing alternative games. As our third child, we sometimes forget how young he is which is completely our fault!
Sean Lowes
Posted at 18:21h, 15 June17 year old here. Definitely agree with the sense that it heats children up. I started playing at around 7 years old growing up with a brother 10 years older than me. Call of Duty (shooter) was my first game. I definitely get upset when playing sometimes and dying in Fortnite is definitely angering. Sometimes I’ll express emotions similar to your childs. However, I do not believe this has any effect on him outside of the game. Sure he might get frustrated, as I do commonly as well. I’m maintaining a 90 average in Canada, and still play a couple hours a day. It won’t change his personality, I’m a social guy and doing well. I’ve been raging since I was 7 and maintained a calm life.
Kerry Brown
Posted at 20:06h, 22 JuneHi Sean,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Us parents worry so much – I know he will be fine just like you.
In fact, I’ve just given him permission to play for the first time in a long time!
Happy Friday to you,
Kerry
MariBeth Doyle
Posted at 16:22h, 25 JulyI agree!! It is now a constant fight to limit Fortnite with my normally creative son who loves the outdoors. I can’t stand it!! Any suggestions for peacefully dealing with this? I think it’s so sad that our kids would rather play on a video game during a summer day than wiffle ball, pickup games, riding bikes etc.
Kerry Brown
Posted at 11:33h, 26 JulyWe’ve banned our 9 year old. It’s hard because bans usually happy in our house when they’ve done something wrong but he’s been good as gold – he just can’t emotionally handle the intensity of the game.