Letting DS not spend real money on Fortnite

[MidnightVelvetthe7th]

Please could I get some opinions, my 9 year old DS wants to spend his saved pocket money (£20) to buy a battle pack in the game Fortnite on the Xbox.

I've said no, as I always say no as I don't like them spending money on online games but I need to examine why I'm so reluctant as he's asking why not. My usual excuses are because you don't get anything to show for your money & if you spend it & the game glitches & loses it/you have to set up another account then you may as well throw your money down a drain. Not to mention that once Fortnite stops becoming the game of the moment its a waste.

I do have form for spending money on online games myself so I understand why he wants to, my game was Farmville 2 & I must have spent about £60 on it, & I don't play it anymore so it was a total waste of cash. I don't play any online games now but I understand the want to get ahead.

But AIBU, is it normal for kids to spend their pocket money on this sort of thing now? Do your DC do it? Should I change my mind & let him?

They have just never asked. It’s not that unusual.

8

Wow ok.

And she also has the seemingly unique ability to separate reality from playing video games.

Well check out the other running thread about this game causing problems.
Am genuinely shocked that people let 8 year olds on a 12 game.
Explains a lot though,

I'm seriously glad you don't teach my DD, I'd hate it if her teacher seriously couldn't handle her class playing fortnite 😂

IT IS NOT FOR PRIMARY KIDS
How is that a hard concept?

Explains a lot? She's also won two sports tournaments this year and is top of her class in a high performing school. Get a grip, you're being absolutely ridiculous.

It’s own literature says it’s not for younger kids.
Awful parenting.

@MrsKeats

For sone balance its worth knowing about the cognitive benefits of playing computer games.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.engadget.com/amp/2017/02/09/8-cognitive-benefits-of-playing-video-games-for-kids/

Yes playing all night always going to be a problem... but if you can get that in check and do some sports on the side theres some real cognitive and educational benefits to computer gaming

Maybe but not at 8.

Awful teaching I'd say if you can't control your class. I'd be pretty pissed off if my DD's teacher's grammar was as awful as yours too. Let's not talk about your DD's supposed inability to separate real life from a fun, unrealistic game though ay 😂😂🤣

My 9yo played an hour of Fortnite on Saturday between training for the regional sailing championships in the morning and swimming in the finals of our area league in the afternoon. DH and I (both teachers) sat and watched/ played with him. He also did his homework, went to bed at 8.30pm and didn't eliminate anyone in real life.

All OK for you??

Can you really not see that it's the parenting not a particular game that is the problem if a child is staying up all night?

Who said I had a problem with control?
Kids being asleep is not about control it’s about patents not laying down any boundaries.
No idea about the grammar comment.

Although I'm trying to see both sides, and I'm optimistically hoping it's just a craze and will pass - I am worried about the effects of the game on the kids I teach who don't have boundaries or rules. Many of my bottom set Yr8s report that they get home from school, play all evening until 'whatever time', don't ever go downstairs or eat with family and don't do any sports or hobbies.

I hope some proper research is being done about the correlation between these addictive games and progress at school. Many of my kids are literally falling asleep in lessons.

Thank you leccy glad it’s not just me.

Thats what's worrying.

My DD got into bed at 1930, read till 2000 then lights out. Better call social services for my awful parenting!!

A lot of my pupils say they eat at their computers too which I think is sad.

@Mrskeats

Especially at 8 when kids are developing those neural pathways. Why do you do hopscotch for example, or rolling a ball of playdough, or threading. Or problem solving activities. Or memory games. This are all things noone questions kids doing to develop skills and yet they are all things most easily gained by playing video games...

Don't confuse bad parenting (kid being up all night) with something being inherently bad.

More science for you...
www.sciencealert.com/6-scientific-benefits-of-playing-videogames

So is it the 'violence' that makes it inappropriate, or the kids that are staying up to play it?

Awful parenting? Mine play for an hour a day, because I restrict it. They have enough sleep thanks. I'm a teacher and I have no issues with children in my class and Fortnite. They enjoy talking about it, but not during lessons, because I have rules.

If parents are letting their children play it instead of sleeping, take it up with them.

I take it you know nothing about games or their ratings?

it’s about patents not laying down any boundaries

That's not what you said- you said the problem was Fortnite.

Both. The game is designed to be addictive so kids are saying they are on it for 5/6 hours, off for a bit then back on.
Some of the boys (it seems more boys) are like zombies.

The rating says 12 because of violence.