Parents: Fortnite is Addictive – NHL Team Bans It – MLB, NBA Concerned
Parents are getting regular warnings from researchers about the impact of screen time and video games. There are a number of reports that show video games are harming our kids. As well as reports that show a decrease in screen time is correlated with improved performance in school. And just yesterday I wrote about a new screen time warning from research dealing with happiness.
In addition, a few months ago the World Health Organization added “Gaming disorder” as an official mental health condition and is recognizing video-game addiction as a public health crisis. This is not a joke. Children as young as 9 are actually going to rehab for video game addictions.
Now, a professional hockey team in the NHL is banning Fortnite. Let me repeat that again another way. A professional sports team of millionaires is banning a video game. All because management believes Fortnite is the reason for decreased performance. In the USA Today it states:
Some have expressed concern in hockey, particularly at the major junior level, that young players who hold marathon gaming sessions pay for it on the ice with poor performance.
There is No Question – Fortnite is Addictive
It almost goes without saying at this point, but Fortnite is addictive. It’s probably the most addictive video game in the world right now. In addition to the teams in the NHL having concerns, Major League Baseball is facing issues with the game as well.
Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price, missed his Wednesday start against the team’s hated rival New York Yankees because of mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome. And after questions have arisen about how frequently he gets a Fortnite fix, the pitcher said he’s hanging up his controller, at least around the ballpark, reports MLB.com.
Price is hardly the only major leaguer to be hit with Fortnite fever, though he may be the only one shelved by it. As The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reports, the Red Sox — which as of this writing shares baseball’s best record with the Yankees — are respawning all night long, with ace Chris Sale, lights-out closer Craig Kimbrel, and slugger J. D. Martinez playing Fortnite on an Xbox that Price lugs around in a backpack.
On top of the NHL and MLB, the NBA is also reporting additive behavior. There is a detailed article exposing how Fortnite is addictive in the NBA on the Bleacher Report titled ‘It Took My Life Over’: Inside NBA Players’ Fortnite Addiction.
Professional athletes can’t handle playing this game without it becoming addictive. Do you think for a second that your kid can? Make no mistake, this game is addictive and you must handle it with care.