Fortnite and Gaming Tips

Building further on recent newsletter articles that have focused on safety on-line with regards to both social media and gaming platforms, the following recommendations will hopefully support parents as they navigate this with their children.

Set healthy boundaries:

Kids respond well to healthy boundaries and form life-long healthy habits from them. Set time limits, keep gaming consoles out of the bedroom where you can hear and see what a lot of what is happening as you go about your own business.

Respect classifications:

Classifications are in place for a reason, and in some cases, you can be fined for ignoring them. Safe on Social is seeing far too many young people (from Yr1) playing R and MA15+ games. Please check the classification before you allow your child to play a game. They are exposed to things that, in some cases, they are not able to handle emotionally at such a young age. And with shooting, rape and other violence in games there is a global concern around desensitisation in young people.

Don’t reveal any personal information to other players:

Stranger danger is 24×7 make sure they never meet up with someone they have met online.

Make sure game software is kept up to date:

Don’t forget!! Your credit card is often attached, and software updates always include security patches to make sure that your credit card details can’t be hacked and stolen.

Watch out for scams:

If you type “free Vbucks” into Youtube, you will see more than 4Million results. All set up to. Scam your credit card. Make sure you speak to your child about this and that they know that the only place they can get Vbuck is in the game store. Better still, get them a kid’s Visa/Debit card. Put their pocket money and birthday money on it, and then they will learn the value of money, and you can teach them how to budget at the same time.

Find out how to block and report:

Learn how they can communicate with strangers in the game and at a minimum, learn how to clock and report so you can help your child if they are being bullied or harassed. Remember that the average age of a gamer is 34-36yrs.

Think about your own screen use:

Children take their cues from adults. Bluntly telling your kids to wrap up their Fornite session while you are yourself glued to your phone sends mixed signals.

Play the game with your child:

Acknowledge their gaming as a legitimate interest rather than an activity to be demonised. Let them know you are willing to meet them halfway and that you understand gaming isn’t just a time-waster; there is a greater chance they will reciprocate when you suggest a non-screen-based activity.

Look at the home environment and talk to your child:

Gaming is often escapism, and there may be a reason your child is trying to shut out the real world — and you in particular. What’s going on that might cause your child to keep you at arm’s length? Excessive game playing can be used as a thought blocker to cope with stress.

Encourage healthy habits and interaction with nature:

Sitting around the house all day can lead to boredom, and Fortnite is a ready alleviator of that boredom. So consider activities that will get kids off the sofa and out in the fresh air.

Go on a family bush walk or picnic somewhere, plant a small veggie patch in the backyard. You don’t have to take them surfing or horse-riding every day. It is enough that you do something that is fun and involves leaving the house. Whether it’s growing veggies in the garden or building a model plane together, kids love meaningful collaboration with their parents. A long-term project in which you have a shared interest will also allow you to bond.

Allow access only after homework and other household chores are done:

Consider whether your child should be allowed to play before they have, for instance, done their homework. The consensus is that it is best that online games are reserved for after everything else has been done.

Don’t let gaming consoles become the babysitter:

If you find yourself relying on video games to keep your children quiet, reflect on whether it is you, or your child who has developed the addiction. Not all video games are created equal. Even if you have decided to allow games, you might wish to steer your child towards a non-violent and creative entertainment, such as Minecraft, rather than the mass shoot-out that is Fortnite.