Dr. Freed Interviewed about Fortnite in Wall Street Journal
Fortnite, more than any video game, is upending the lives of the children and teens I work with.
Wall Street Journal writer Betsy Morris interviewed me for her article “How Fortnite Triggered an Unwinnable War Between Parents and Their Boys.”
(See comments below)
Thanks for the impute. Have there been any studies on percentage of school shooter being avid video gamers
Dear Alana,
Thank you for your message. I can say anecdotally that it’s quite remarkable how many school shooters are heavy into violent video games. That being said, when a child acts out violently, there are many factors contributing, and heavy exposure to media violence should be considered as one factor. Best to you, Richard
As a long time programmer, and computer expert, I can attest to the fact that Fortnite is an enormous technological advance. It is the epitome of game development. It uses our technology to its fullest. The technology will now have an excuse for even faster response times and even better video cards. This will inspire a whole industry of hardware development to feed the obsession and need for faster processing speeds and better graphics. We are only at the beginning of this new, more advanced technological revolution. Believe it or not, the technology has been waiting for some actual use for the extreme high tech. And now it has been found: Fortnite and similar games.
From psychological research, and my own extensive personal experience, I can attest to the damage caused by games such as Fortnite. These games reduce the ability of the kid to engage in thoughtful research, to concentrate on difficult problems, and to engage in out of door activities. The achievement of Peak Experiences as described by Maslow is the result of concentrated effort and sacrifice over the long run. Such concentration, and the sacrifice of short term pleasure for long term gratification, is destroyed by the immediate gratification of a sophisticated game such as Fortnite.
This is a growing danger that needs to be recognized and fought against. If the developed world plans to continue as leaders in the STEM fields, the video games need to be reduced.
Dear Jerald,
Thank you so much for your comment. I believe it’s so important for persons such as yourself–expert in computers and technology–to help parents and other concerned parties understand the effects of games such as Fortnite on kids. As you say, Fortnite represents the pinnacle of modern technology, especially with respect to persuasive design. Some, therefore immediately make the assumption that kids will benefit from exposure to such, without understanding how such immersive technologies displace the vital developmental activities of childhood. I think persons such as yourself, with a nuanced understanding of technology and kids’ developmental needs, can help guide us forward.
Best,
Richard