ATTENTION PARENTS: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY WHAT LITTLE TIMMY PLAYS. I REPEAT, IT IS YOUR FAULT IF YOU LET YOUR 7-YEAR-OLD CHILD PLAY FORTNITE AND HE LEARNS THOSE NASTY LITTLE SWEARS.
The Fortnite Problem
That’s right folks, and it’s not just me saying that, or every other sensible person who’s saying that now either. The government thinks so too! If you have been listening to The Name Doesn’t Matter (Which you totally should) you’d have heard this already. Fortnite by Epic games has come under fire recently. According to parents and child players alike, the game is “Full of paedos.” The battle royal shooter on consoles and PC has taken the world by storm and is exceptionally popular in the 10-17 demographic. However, not all is sunshine and rainbows.
Many young players have reported being propositioned and even offered money for explicit acts. This disgusting problem has many parents demanding the game be shut down… Really? Yes, something needs to be done about this, but come on… Epic Games needs to do something, yes, but Fortnite isn’t the problem. Parents being too damn lazy is the problem. That’s right, you heard me, it’s your fault if your kid winds up weird after playing games. Know why?
Simple, if you were an actual parent who took an interest in your child, you wouldn’t have to worry. You’d actually monitor what they’re playing, explain right and wrong, and make sure they don’t wind up in harm’s way. Sitting your kid in front of a screen and using a Nintendo, iPhone, or television to raise the kid for you is idiotic. If you have a problem with the game, do some damn research. If you hear a rumor about how “this game makes kids violent” find out for yourself.
The Parenting Problem
If you are worried about your kid emulating the stuff they see in the games, talk to them! Make sure they understand that real life isn’t a video game. Have a conversation with them. Because if you just take the game away from them, all they’ll do is resent you for it. And that’s not parenting. That’s just being lazy.
Video games are the new heavy metal. Any time a kid does something, or something happens to a kid it’s the Xbox’s fault. Or it’s the Nintendo’s fault. How about, you take an active interest in your kid’s hobbies? If a coach was being inappropriate with your child would you be more likely to find out? Yes: Because you’ll talk to them if they’re playing sports, or if it’s about school. But the second they fire up Doom or Mortal Kombat? “Oh, it’s not my problem. The T.V. is raising my child. I just helped spawn them.”
If you have a problem with your children playing something violent, it is your job to set limitations. It is not the job of a company whose goal it is to provide content for their customers. Not to bend to the will of a soccer mom whose best friend is a bottle of cheap grocery store wine. You decide what your kids should play or watch is absolutely your right. But you don’t have the right to decide what is right and wrong for everybody else.
Talk to Your Children
Have a talk with your kid. They won’t bite. Before Fortnite it was Minecraft that had to deal with disgusting predators. And before that, it was World of Warcraft. And so on and so forth. It’s not just games either! These sick bastards are always going to go where your kids do. So you need to keep them safe. Make sure they know what to do in a situation like that. You know how you tell kids not to go into the van that promises them a bunch of candy? Same deal. Teach your kids to recognize these issues, and monitor them. Make sure they can take care of themselves. Be ready to answer their questions. And give them actual answers.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to dodge this RPG.
https://youtu.be/Mxd95B80Wos