Fortnite Addiction
Children and adolescents have been suffering from videogame addiction, especially addiction to Fortnite. We are reviewing these cases to help support impacted families.
PROFITS OVER
Wellbeing of children
You may have heard of Fortnite; the game’s popularity is sky-high! This online free-to-download game, where players battle to be the last one standing, has over 350 million registered players. Gaming is fun, but where there is a lack of control despite adverse consequences, caution is warranted.
Fortnite was designed by PhDs in human psychology to intentionally keep players increasingly hooked and spend more money on in-game purchases. The gaming industry calls it making a game engaging and immersive, but it has been causing addiction. Children lack the self-control required to stop doing something they like.
The key difference between gaming as a hobby and having a gaming problem or addiction is the negative impact it has on the player’s life. If gaming is causing problems and they continue to play despite that, it is recommended to seek the help of a professional immediately. Psychologists are noticing an increase in "Fortnite-obsessed” patients, who are struggling to manage their time and are constantly fighting with their parents about keeping playing or getting back to the game. Studies established a correlation between addiction to Fortnite and behavioral difficulties, and some health experts have said that Fortnite is as addictive as heroin.
Video game addiction is real. The World Health Organization has officially classified it under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the United States, includes the diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD)(1).
What are possible
Symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder?
Diagnosis requires the occurrence of five or more of the bellow symptoms within a year:
- Preoccupation with gaming;
- Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is taken away or not possible (sadness, anxiety, irritability);
- Tolerance, the need to spend more time gaming to satisfy the urge;
- Inability to reduce playing, unsuccessful attempts to quit gaming;
- Giving up other activities, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities due to gaming;
- Continuing to game despite problems;
- Deceiving family members or others about the amount of time spent on gaming;
- The use of gaming to relieve negative moods, such as gilt or hopelessness; and
- Risk having jeopardized or lost a job or relationship due to gaming
The gaming industry has been putting profits over the well-being of children and adolescents. If you or your child have been experiencing symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder, we want to help. Knowles Law Firm is investigating available venues for getting compensation for children addicted to Fortnite and other video games. Contact us by phone at 1 (843) 810-7596 or complete this form at any time to talk through your situation and any potential legal options you may have.
What is Fortnite?
Fortnite is an online player-versus-player game where players battle it out to be the last one standing. It is a free-to-play game that is available on just about every platform or controller imaginable, including mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets.
How does Fortnite make money?
Fortnite makes money through in-game purchases. The game itself is free, but players can purchase cosmetics for their character in the game, such as outfits (skins), pickaxes, gliders, backpacks, and more. These purchases are handled with Fortnite’s in-game currency called V-Bucks. One U.S. dollar equals 100 V-Bucks.
So, what is the
Big Deal?
The game appeals to children with its cartoonish style and the lack of “blood” leads parents to think it is not a violent game, therefore, suitable for their children. Fast-paced games like Fortnite can trigger your brain's fight or flight response. Your body starts releasing hormones like adrenaline, and your heart starts racing as you get into the match. Wins trigger your brain's natural reward system, increasing feel-good hormones like dopamine and, overall, making you feel great. Feeling rewarded isn't a problem in itself – after all, why would you play if it isn't fun? But the reward system that gets triggered by a Fortnite win is also involved in addiction. In a study, a neuroscientist found that Fortnite images triggered the dopamine area of the brain at a much greater intensity in a boy who played Fortnite than in another boy who did not play the game.
If you think your children may be presenting symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder or gaming addiction, we want to help.
Contact us to talk through your situation and any potential legal options you may have! Call Knowles Law Firm at
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