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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sorry, another fortnite one!

13 replies

Doggydoggydoggy · 21/01/2019 16:35

Those of you with ‘gamerkids’, do you find them a bit immature for their age?

I have posted before about DS and the PlayStation, he is much improved.

But I got a call today from school saying my DS and several other boys in his year group are very immature for their age and unbothered about things.

Shrugging their shoulders when questioned about stuff or being threatened with slips and things.
Saying they are taking no responsibility for anything and are following others even when they know the decisions are wrong.

Is this down to my parenting or is it the gaming?
The teacher said it is a year group problem which makes me think there must be more at play than making the wrong parenting choices?

OP posts:
justasking111 · 21/01/2019 16:37

If you are concerned, limit gaming. See if that helps.

divadee · 21/01/2019 16:42

What year are they in, if year 7 this is very normal in my experience. I am battling a lot of y7 students at the moment with this attitude. The other y7s are still terrified and cry at anything!

Original poster
Doggydoggydoggy · 21/01/2019 16:55

I have limited already, it has helped!
Debating limiting even more.

Year 5, only the boys!

OP posts:
Coralnails · 21/01/2019 16:57

Sorry what? The school phoned you to tell you that your child is immature?

Yes some children are immature/irresponsible. I suspect the only way that this is linked to gaming is that they spend too long doing it and not what they're supposed to be doing.

Simple solution, turn the game off until they start behaving.

SuePerb · 21/01/2019 16:59

well it sounds like its a peer group thing to me - all of the boys are being cocky together. I think if his behaviour is ok at home, and you've spoken to him about being respectful etc, it's down to the teacher to work out some strategies to deal with this. When there have been similar issues at school with my ds, the teacher separates them all.

It may be also worth doing a reward chart and giving Fortnite as a reward, rather than taking it away as punishment. Positive reinforcement and all that.

Thistles24 · 21/01/2019 17:12

Not sure what age year 7 is, but my DS is 10, and in his class there is a group who are allowed unlimited access to games, and a group who have strict limits. The ones who are limited are much better behaved, but that could also be because of stricter parenting, and also because they are more into sport, and have respect drummed into them by coaches- DS wouldn’t dream of turning up late or refusing to follow instructions at his sports clubs, as he’d be doing extra laps or press ups as a consequence and I guess this attitude has been drummed into him so he applies it at school.
Basically, I think you should try limit gaming and see how it goes- it’s not going to do any harm! Good luck!

LeilaDarling · 21/01/2019 17:28

Following as my DS is year 6, worried lately he is extra immature for his age and he is really into his PS4, fortnite obsession and you tube too.

joanmcc · 21/01/2019 17:32

What part of the game do you think is causing this behaviour?

hopeishere · 21/01/2019 17:38

So the school phoned to say your son is immature? Is this a private school?

And assuming from your title, you think fortnite is causing this? DS1 plays fortnite but he still (mostly) behaves in school!

I don't think not caring about "authority" is immature actually!

Lweji · 21/01/2019 17:45

DS is very much into fortnite and he's fairly responsible.
I didn't notice a behavioural change since playing the game. I have noticed how addictive it is, but that's another issue.

I'd think it's a peer issue and teachers have to get smart to deal with them, not go running to mum and dad. I think it shows more about teacher than pupil maturity.

GruciusMalfoy · 21/01/2019 18:00

My son is 10 and plays Fortnite. The main issue we would have is that he would play it constantly if he was allowed. So he has limits put on it by me.

I can't say I've noticed him or his friends being particularly immature, if they were then I can't see how it would stem from gaming. If his attitude was an issue in school I would be looking at his discipline, behaviour and habits as a whole. My son has additional needs, he pushes his luck at home, but in school I haven't had any negative reports about his behaviour. He is keen to learn and tries his hardest.

user1511042793 · 21/01/2019 18:00

Don’t think it’s a fortnite problem. My son is a gamer and works hard at school and he’s also a mature boy.

Morgan12 · 21/01/2019 18:02

I really don't see how fortnite would make the boys immature. Also I'd bet some of the girls also play it. I think it's strange of the teachers to bring this up tbh.

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