The "F" Word

Dr. Jami Landen
Dec 19, 2018
3 min read

Gotcha!!! The "F" word I'll be referring to is Fortnite. I am not sure about you, but I regret ever letting this dreaded game into my house. In full disclosure, this is probably one of the worst mommy mistakes I have ever made (and I have made a lot). Truth is....I caved. If I recall it correctly, just under a year ago my son BEGGED and BEGGED my husband and I to get Fortnite. He said he felt left out because Fortnite was ALL the kids talked about at school. I had heard how it was addicting, read a few articles about it and I STILL caved. I did cave with strict rules thinking it would make a difference.

Rule #1- No playing during the week, only on the weekend. Eventually, I also banned watching Fortnite YouTube videos during the week.

Rule #2- When you are asked to get off, you need to get off!!!! Again, I eventually realized that getting off in the middle of the game causes quite a fit because the games go on for EVER.

Rule #3- You need to ask permission ALWAYS before playing.

Rule #4- Fortnite cannot be earned as a reward, but can be lost as a consequence.

Now, I thought I was outsmarting my son and the game. I was feeling like a responsible parent. I mean, how bad could the game be? Other very responsible parents were allowing their children to play. Plus, I was told that it was free. Well, it didn't take long for me to feel completely bamboozled. First, although it claims to be "free", it ends up costing money if you allow it (which I have caved in about also). Apparently, in order to get new and cool " Skins" or do "Battle Pass" you need "V-Bucks." The only way to earn "V-Bucks" is by completing challenges (which takes a lot of playing time) or purchasing them (which costs money). Please allow me to define these terms.

1. Skins- the outfits the players wear in the game which do not have powers, but make your player look cooler.

2. V-Bucks- this is money earned by completing challenges or you can purchase V-Bucks. V-Bucks can buy you things in the item shops such as skins, dances, gliders, backpacks, harvesting tools, etc. You can also buy Battle Pass.

3. Battle Pass- my son said this is equivalent to a VIP pass to a concert. It gives the player access to everything you can buy in the item shop (mentioned above) plus trails and much, much more.

If you still do not understand, join the club. As I am writing this, my son is defining the terms for me and I'm still lost. What I am trying to get across is that if the player wants the "cool" stuff they either need to play Frequently, or they will need your credit card. Neither is working for me!!!!

The worst part of Fortnite is how it affects behavior. It does not happen to all kids, but it affects many (including my 10-year-old son). After playing Fortnite, being asked to get off of Fortnite, or not being allowed to play causes behavior you would see in a drug addict: angry outbursts, begging (to play), illogical statements about how they can't get Fortnite out of their head, crying spells, tantrums, pressured speech, etc. Once the child gets their Fortnite fix, they are calm again. When all this is happening and I point out how Fortnite is affecting him, he says "mom, you are so obsessed with Fortnite. It's all you talk about." Maybe he is right. I can't stop thinking about how I want to take it away!!!!!

Some parents have told me they have to turn off the Wi-Fi to get their kids to stop playing, some just give in to avoid the negative behavior, and others remain Frustrated. Many parents will tell you it's a social game because you can play against your friends and talk to them through the game. However, you can also talk to strangers who may or may not be children. Call me crazy, but this is not how I want my kids socializing. When used as a supplement to face-to-face socializing, it's fine, however, an interactive video game should never replace or be the sole source of your child's socialization. If you have not given in to the Fortnite trend yet, please do more research than I did and consider it with caution. The game is addicting, the game can change behavior, and the game can cause a "Frustrated Fortnite Parent"!!!! There are a lot of "F" words flying around. Fortnite makes me want to scream F***!!!!!