Fortnite NLP for trans ?

[HelenScot]

My 11 year old plays Fortnite. I have created limits and have protections on. Recently however my hackles have gone up. He has consistently chosen a girl character since the start and today her 'skin' was in trans flag colours. I also was alerted that they have charity partners members can donate to (see pic) .

I wonder if the game could be programming children into the notion of trans identities? We talk about there being no such thing as the wrong body and that there are only 2 sexes. And he is a quite sensible boy. But psychological operatives on young minds can be quite powerful.

Anyone else have any experience of this?

It’s not actually programming. It’s advertising. Works the same way as Coco Pops ads on the TV. The next time you see Coco Pops in the supermarket you are primed to notice and pay more attention. And maybe fancy a wee bowl.

Your son is choosing to play as a girl. The game doesnt force him to do that

I have no issue with him playing 'as a girl'. It's not that at all. He used to pretend to be spider man and clearly I knew he wasn't going to 'become' spider man. Growing up he has always had access to whatever toys he wished. I just wonder the immersive aspects of gaming matched with their obvious alignment to Mermaids and Stonewall. Could there be neurolinguistic programming elements to it? We know the military was involved in such research. And thinking on Sasha Baron Cohen who I recently heard speak about 'transmaxxing' specifically in relation to gaming.

No it is a choice not a conspiracy same way packets of crisps don't jump out of the pantry and force people to eat them

Wow, Stonewall AND Mermaids on there

No, you’re paranoid. And NLP is a dubious pop psychology theory, not a generic means of scary mind control. Let him enjoy his game.

I think your kid might just turn out to be a great ally for trans people. Unlike…you 😊

Most people choose girl characters because they're smaller so less able to see in a game like fortnite its kind of an advantage over a big bulky man

I agree with pp that it's similar to advertising. A slow drip drip drip. The only way to counter it (apart from banning the game) is to do a slow drip drip drip back. A good starting place is to express shock that Mermaids is still linked considering they are being investigated by the Charity Commission and Cass has debunked their reason for existence. In age appropriate ways of course.

Oh that's interesting. As I said I don't have any issue with him playing any character. He was just as likely to dress in princess costumes as Batman when he was small. That is not the issue. Stonewall and Mermaids are dodgy orgs that partnership on a platform accessible to children does not build confidence

Yes I did speak to him about this that those orgs are hurting children because they accept rigid sex stereotypes as proof of opposite sex (relayed in conversation appropriate to his age clearly) which leads to children damaging their bodies.

It's everywhere

My 11 year old plays Fortnite

Sorry you lost me at this.

Even with controls it's not appropriate, and you clearly don't understand that controls have severe limitations.

Those charities are there because Microsoft Xbox has them on there and that’s nothing to do with Fortnite. I have an Xbox and haven’t ever taken much notice of a charity donation page. If people have left their credit card details on their kids could just donate without the parents knowledge.

I play a huge game, not as famous as Fortnite but many of the men I game with play women characters. Two reasons, smaller hit box, which means the slimmer character is harder to shoot in competitive PvP and they also like looking at their backsides when they run about.

Those charities are there because Microsoft Xbox has them on there and that’s nothing to do with Fortnite.
Oh, that makes more sense especially considering American tech is extremely captured.

Actually OP, I think you have a different problem if you are allowing your 11yr old to play a 13+ game.

Fortnite age rating However, the Entertainment Software Rating Board rates Fortnite as suitable for teens. Common Sense Media recommends it for ages 13+. The primary reason these rating bodies cite for their age recommendation is the open chat feature, which may expose your children to risks like online predators.

I disabled the chat function. He only plays with his pals who only get approved once I get the notification in my inbox. He's got like 8 friends he plays with.

My cousin always plays as a girl in games for two reasons, one is other players are easier on them when playing against each other and the second is tits he likes tits.