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Ninja has some harsh words about Fortnite ‘rehab’ and parental responsibility
- Thread starter Deleted member 2172
- Start date
Bad parenting. He's right.
The ironic thing is that for a lot of kids, Ninja actually has an influential presence in their lives - potentially more so than the parents, given the audience and popularity of his streams. He sees lazy parenting first hand every single day - and makes a boatload of money on it.
Claiming that he's "desperately trying to keep the money flowing" doesn't make any sense - if that were true, he wouldn't be saying parents should moderate the amount of time kids are spending playing/watching Fortnite.
The ironic thing is that for a lot of kids, Ninja actually has an influential presence in their lives - potentially more so than the parents, given the audience and popularity of his streams. He sees lazy parenting first hand every single day - and makes a boatload of money on it.
Claiming that he's "desperately trying to keep the money flowing" doesn't make any sense - if that were true, he wouldn't be saying parents should moderate the amount of time kids are spending playing/watching Fortnite.
Like some others have said there are some situations where it's hard for parents to control playtime (single parents, people with multiple jobs).
That said, it honestly worries me the amount of people that just hand their kids an iPad as soon as they sit at a table at a diner, or leave them playing for multiple hours at home and then brag about how well they can handle an IPad.
My kid is only 3 so maybe I have no right to talk, but I'll keep limiting his playtime to less than hour for a long time (he often plays for less than an hour a week) and then only let him do things that spark his creativity; drawing, making music, learning apps etc.
Telling your kids no is a good thing, and I believe it's better to start at a young age so that they get used to it.
That said, it honestly worries me the amount of people that just hand their kids an iPad as soon as they sit at a table at a diner, or leave them playing for multiple hours at home and then brag about how well they can handle an IPad.
My kid is only 3 so maybe I have no right to talk, but I'll keep limiting his playtime to less than hour for a long time (he often plays for less than an hour a week) and then only let him do things that spark his creativity; drawing, making music, learning apps etc.
Telling your kids no is a good thing, and I believe it's better to start at a young age so that they get used to it.
I think the biggest thing many here are missing that if in fact their child has an addictive personality simply "Just taking it away" isn't the best answer.
Sure, right now when they are young its Fortnite, but what happens as they get older? If they can get addicted to a video game they could also get addicted to drugs, sex, gambling etc.
Sure, right now when they are young its Fortnite, but what happens as they get older? If they can get addicted to a video game they could also get addicted to drugs, sex, gambling etc.
That's not how you evaluate addicition in a medical sense. There has to be clear and unhealthy consequences of your actions in order for addiction to even be mentioned. There is a list of standardized criteria that the health care system make use of in case of addiction. That's why not everyone who plays that much is concidered an addict; because most people can still function in a health way whilst doing a lot of gaming.
Sorry to say that i indeed see a lot of irresponsible parents. It's pretty shocking actually sometimes. Now some parents are taken hostage by their job (s) and have to work their asses off to make ends meet. So they just have very little time for their kids and they're mostly tired. But there are also a lot of lazy irresponsible parents. Some kids just sit in front of a screen al fucking day.
Just want to add to that bold part. That is what colloquial said, but there is a medical definition of addiction. That is what matters, as it is those cases that should get treatment. Playing X ammount of hours while it can be important is not very crucial for the diagnosis.
Do you think a gambler spends 8 hours gambling? or an alcoholic spends 8 hours drinking? or a smoker spends 8 hours smoking?
My point is most people that throw the word addiction around without the right meaning.
I was wondering that... You just don't need to drink alcohol! so easy!
The problem is he really doesn't care lol. I dont think hes ever used his influnce in a positive way.
Loving the hot takes from people without kids or people with toddlers in here.
Good shit, keep it up.
Also - you have no fucking clue.
Good shit, keep it up.
Also - you have no fucking clue.
EDIT: my first post was a drive by that added no value nor allowed for any debate.
I don't fully agree with ninja. I feel parents have a big role in video games but trying to say it is just the parents or just the video games is not right. We as parents need to guide our children the best we can but it is impossible to see and control 100% of their life.
From local news stories on this topic I do think parents do need to take the time to educate themselves on how they can help bring moderation to hobbies that can lead into addictions. A lot people have no idea how to control a router to lock access or even to limit the amount of time. Yes just pulling the plug is not a magical cure but there is no single thing that makes this all go away it takes a lot of steps and moderation. personal take but i feel current culture is all about finger pointing and placing responsibility on one single factor.
I don't fully agree with ninja. I feel parents have a big role in video games but trying to say it is just the parents or just the video games is not right. We as parents need to guide our children the best we can but it is impossible to see and control 100% of their life.
From local news stories on this topic I do think parents do need to take the time to educate themselves on how they can help bring moderation to hobbies that can lead into addictions. A lot people have no idea how to control a router to lock access or even to limit the amount of time. Yes just pulling the plug is not a magical cure but there is no single thing that makes this all go away it takes a lot of steps and moderation. personal take but i feel current culture is all about finger pointing and placing responsibility on one single factor.
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Yup. It's the parent's job to control the kids' gaming.
What's funny about that? It's true. There is nothing that is going to come from you playing 8 hours of fortnite a day that benefits you in the long run.
A kid playing 8 hours of basketball a day? Getting great physical exercise is the minimum achieved from it.
Spending 8 hours a day on a craft that is part of learning a professional trade? Learning parts or all of said craft and the skills involved being the minimum achieved.
Spending 8 hours of fortnite a day? I can't think of a single positive thing that can be gained as a minimum guarantee.
Maybe if you spent your time learning to mod the game, I'd see a benefit but you can't do that with fortnite. You aren't gaining anything.
Yeah, I'm feeling a bit of both here. I do think a lot of parents are reluctant to say no to their kids these days and just give them things or give in to them to mollify them (not just for their own sake, though. A lot of parents are also trying very hard not to disrupt other people's lives when in public.), but the 'family' sit/technology is different too. I'd like to hear more from parents that find themselves in this predicament and what they've tried. I find it hard to believe they just threw up their hands and let their kids play endless hours a day like some people are suggesting.
All too often parents look to shift blame. You need to take responsibility for it yourself.
My 12 year old is getting a hell of an attitude problem of late and I think it comes down to a number of factor, but one factor is the amount of screen time he has, which is my fault as I work from home and have been in a busy period for the last few months. So when he bugs to use it, I tend to let him so I can concentrate on work. So we have told him we are cutting his access to the Xbox for a week to see if his attitude changes and seeing what we can do moving forward, working a better schedule, mixing it with further activities and not playing.
He does plenty of other stuff aside from playing games, he does Ice Hockey and Football on a regular basis (in the UK, so Soccer for the American friends) as well as making sure we get out of the flat on a regular basis to get fresh air, go for walsk, etc. But when at home, the Xbox does tend to go on a lot.
It is about balance, but with the Xbox he has been on it way too much of late, which as I said coincides with his change of attitude. However, it could well be where he is hitting his teenage years and what comes naturally with that. But as a resposible (I hope) parent, I will not just be blaming a games console, or a game for anything. I know it comes down to a number of things and have to deal with them accordingly.
My 12 year old is getting a hell of an attitude problem of late and I think it comes down to a number of factor, but one factor is the amount of screen time he has, which is my fault as I work from home and have been in a busy period for the last few months. So when he bugs to use it, I tend to let him so I can concentrate on work. So we have told him we are cutting his access to the Xbox for a week to see if his attitude changes and seeing what we can do moving forward, working a better schedule, mixing it with further activities and not playing.
He does plenty of other stuff aside from playing games, he does Ice Hockey and Football on a regular basis (in the UK, so Soccer for the American friends) as well as making sure we get out of the flat on a regular basis to get fresh air, go for walsk, etc. But when at home, the Xbox does tend to go on a lot.
It is about balance, but with the Xbox he has been on it way too much of late, which as I said coincides with his change of attitude. However, it could well be where he is hitting his teenage years and what comes naturally with that. But as a resposible (I hope) parent, I will not just be blaming a games console, or a game for anything. I know it comes down to a number of things and have to deal with them accordingly.
You can't prevent everything as a parent but not being able to always enforce your rules is not an excuse to have none at all.
I played with a pocket lamp under my bedcovers. The rules still had their intended effect of me having other hobbies.
What exactly are they pointing out with the apostrophe comment, when the majority of adults and parents have bad grammar and spelling? I don't get it.
This is the second time someone in this thread has called out multiple anonymous people who don't have kids.
Quote who you're talking to instead of the passive aggressive nonsense.
Parents do need to be more involved, but video game addiction is a real thing, and can be especially damaging for young people. Acting like 'taking the Playstation away' is a permanent solution to this problem is naive and ignorant.
This is right, set the ground rules early on in thier lives not once it becomes a problem and you have to deal with temper tantrums.
- Many parents (and people in general) are far too indifferent about the risks of technology.
- Parents are not solely responsible for addictions and other patterns of self-destructive behavior their children get into.
Both these things are true.
- Parents are not solely responsible for addictions and other patterns of self-destructive behavior their children get into.
Both these things are true.
As someone who struggled with alcoholism for over a decade I find the idea of videogame rehabs farsical. And the people who are running them should be shamed. Hell I play video games whenever I can, but I have 2 jobs. Do I wanna go home and play them? Sure. But that's as much about the social interaction I have when dropping into the firing range during a game with 4 lifelong friends of blackout than it is the blackout game itself.
Parents, be parents. Take your kids game away. Ground them, whatever. But videogame rehab? Gtfo of here with that sh*t
Parents, be parents. Take your kids game away. Ground them, whatever. But videogame rehab? Gtfo of here with that sh*t
Yup he is right. Parenting today consists of shoving a phone or tablet in your 1 year olds face so they STFU and not bother you. This problem is only going to get worse.
Kind of a weird take. Sure you play video games and don't have an addiction to it.
At the same time, you struggled with alcoholism but surly you know that not even who drinks has a drinking problem.
Just like everyone who plays video games doesn't have a gaming addiction. But there are those who do.
Contrary to other types of addictions, like alcholol and other drugs, video game addiction is something they'll likely developp at home (though i know that can be different in south east asia).
Of course once a kid is addicted, proffesional help can be required, but it's very much possible to limit screen time early.
Umm you take away the console or the power cord like our parents growing up did. It's not rocket science. You don't need to be a start at home parent to do that
They may not be solely responsible for their child's addiction, but they are responsible for getting their child help. Which is what these parents are doing...which is a good thing.
Again, if you think this is a permanent solution to addiction, you are being ignorant and naive.
Physical activity is good, and would do a lot of overweight people in this world some good.
Sitting on the couch all day looking at a screen has negative effects.
I grew up playing both basketball and games a lot as a kid. Both can teach you things, but being in front of a screen for that long is bad. Im on a game enthusiast forum, so im certainly not saying games are bad, they arent. What Im saying is that your comparison makes no sense.
OP
OP
Yeah it makes no sense. Its awkwardly clear the author of the article just doesn't like Ninja at all and, being a Deputy Editor on the site, he had to vent under the disguise of 'journalism'.
You are correct. I am making an assumption and an unfair one at that.
I find the commenters who have "outed" themselves as parents in this thread have been leaving some good responses based on their own experiences both agreeing and disagreeing with Ninja.
Like this one I found very level headed.
But again you are correct. I have nothing to back up my presumption that that a lot of the people agreeing with Ninja and criticizing parents are not parents themselves.
What a juvenile response from vg247.
I'm not even fond of the guy, but is this considered a professional article? Be better.
Regarding his tweet: kinda agree.
But obviously there are different degrees of addiction that should be considered here.
Sometimes saying "no" and etc. is not enough when the kid is too much addicted, so seeking professional help is needed.
Its almost as if those two have more value than fucking videogames
That is in fact all it took when you and I were kids (although in my case it was the NES controller), but that was in a time where games were not designed to be like crack and games were only available on consoles and not on everything that has a screen.
Even if you take everything away that plays games there is still people like smartass Ninja that you can watch to feed your addiction.
Games are no longer in kid´s homes, they are in their pockets.
And it is increasingly hard for parents to fight an industry that is coming for your child´s v-bucks from every angle.
So Ninja.... can get fucked. He´s basically Epic´dealer.
And in no fucking position to give parenting advice while playing Fortnite 24/7.
It's not a permanent solution but it's a good start. If you take it away and the first thing you notice is withdrawal-like symptoms (beyond the usual "kid's not getting their way and having a tantrum") with the kid getting aggressive or emotionally distressed or whatnot you know that you might have a problem that you should solve instead of letting it spiral out of control.
I don't know much about Ninja but what does the "sexist" part have to do with Fortnight? Seems kind of randomly thrown in there as an insult
Man who makes millions off addictive game blames parents for kids being addicted.
HMMMMMMMMMMMMNNN
This is like the casino owner blaming the spouse when they say their SO is addicted to Craps.
HMMMMMMMMMMMMNNN
This is like the casino owner blaming the spouse when they say their SO is addicted to Craps.
Dude is an idiot and isn't a parent (and also makes millions off of these addicted kids). He is grossly oversimplifying things. Shit is a lot different from when most of us were kids.
When we were kids a lot of us played Pokémon, and a lot of it. A ridiculous amount even. But the big difference is that the technology of the time had built in limits. AA batteries that needed to be bought and replaced. No light on the screen making it difficult to play at night without altering a parent. No online play necessitating actual physical interaction with other kids to battle and trade.
None of those limits apply to today. What makes it worse is that the parental controls that are available aren't widely explained to parents, and frankly many Xer and Millennial parents who grew up with games don't even think twice about parental controls because they weren't a thing or not needed for us because games weren't designed to be addictive from the gate and weren't designed to monopolize your time so you could spend hundreds of dollars on bullshit mtx.
Yes, there is an onus on parents to pay more attention and understand this stuff better, but there is also an onus on the industry to make parental controls easier to use and otherwise help educate parents, create barriers for children to play too much, and stop designing games around the concept of monopolizing time and maximizing mtx profits.
When we were kids a lot of us played Pokémon, and a lot of it. A ridiculous amount even. But the big difference is that the technology of the time had built in limits. AA batteries that needed to be bought and replaced. No light on the screen making it difficult to play at night without altering a parent. No online play necessitating actual physical interaction with other kids to battle and trade.
None of those limits apply to today. What makes it worse is that the parental controls that are available aren't widely explained to parents, and frankly many Xer and Millennial parents who grew up with games don't even think twice about parental controls because they weren't a thing or not needed for us because games weren't designed to be addictive from the gate and weren't designed to monopolize your time so you could spend hundreds of dollars on bullshit mtx.
Yes, there is an onus on parents to pay more attention and understand this stuff better, but there is also an onus on the industry to make parental controls easier to use and otherwise help educate parents, create barriers for children to play too much, and stop designing games around the concept of monopolizing time and maximizing mtx profits.
Depends on if the video game is the craft, I spent m childhood doodling and eventually went to college because of it.
But if some kids wanna play games all day and possibly get on some esports team, who am I to judge.
on topic, I had a brother who was on some video game addiction shit. It was not pretty , he grew out of it but he still has some bad habits
Sure, but if your child has developed an addiction, they need professional psychological help or else they will not get any better, they will just find ways around whatever limitations you've set until the root of the problem is dealt with. I say this as someone who developed a serious and damaging addiction at a young age, and for whom simple limitations like that were not enough.
I have 3 kids and if you worry about your kids being "left out" of trends like Fortnite it could lead to some very bad situations.Our kids are going to be "left out" of things, it's just a fact of life. My kid doesn't play Fortnite very much and not EVERY kid at his school does. You can limit things very easily which still allows them to be not "left out" but also not playing so much they become addicted.
I was so proud of my sister and her husband when I visited recently. My nephew had been spending way too much time playing Fortnite and ignoring other things he should have been doing so they took away his PS4 and actually removed it from their house. He's a great kid, and his parents are strict like this because they know it's necessary. He obviously wasn't happy about it but was still in good spirits and joking around about it. Didn't take it so seriously as to be up in his room pouting, etc. like I imagine others might do.