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Culture Secretary Says Games Like Fortnite Risk 'Damaging' Children's Lives

Culture Secretary Says Games Like Fortnite Risk 'Damaging' Children's Lives

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock says online screen time is damaging to children and can have a negative impact on their lives

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Guess what's back, once again. Yes you're right, it's Fortnite. We just can't get enough of it - but maybe that's the problem.

It's been downloaded more than 40 million times and there are around 3.4 million users worldwide so pretty much everyone is on to it. But the ones that aren't are having huge issues (of course they are, that's what people do with their time now).

The latest recruit to jump on this bandwagon of negativity is Culture Secretary, Matt Hancock, who warned that addictive video games have a negative and damaging impact on children's lives.

Minister Matt Hancock made the comments as concerns from parents over the popular multiplayer game Fortnite cropped up.

According to MailOnline, the game, which was developed by Epic Games, has been downloaded more than 40 million times and has been endorsed by stars such as footballer Dele Alli and rapper Drake - let's just blame them for it being so popular shall we?

Matt Hancock told The Daily Telegraph: "Too much screen time could have a damaging impact on our children's lives.

"Whether it's social media or video games, children should enjoy them safely and as part of a lifestyle that includes exercise and socialising in the real world."

No one likes forced exercise, do they?

Here's Matt Hancock just casually trying to spoil all the fun.
PA

He also confirmed that his department is working alongside game developers to improve online safety, which is probably a really good thing actually.

Fortnite is available on mobiles and consoles including Xbox One and PlayStation 4, as well as PC and Mac. So many options.

Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner, urged parents to limit the amount of time children spend on the 'addictive' game.

She also claimed that games companies should ensure their products are not keeping children glued to screens with addictive features.

And this mum has definitely seen the bad side of the game as she explained that it changed her son.


His mum explained that Fortnite made him start ignoring family time in favour of being sat in front of his Xbox, with the game's constant energy making him find normal life boring in comparison.

She confiscated the game from her 11-year-old son who explained that once he got used to it it was actually 'kind of nice not to have it'.

The kid seems to have taken it fairly well considering there are some out there that would probably be willing to lose an arm (maybe a foot).

But what about all the positives that come with the game? Surely you'd rather your kid was at home playing Fortnite instead of sitting on a park bench necking back cans of Stella or strawpedoing a bottle of your finest wine.

Just trying to leave it on a brighter note.

Featured Image Credit: Epic Games

Topics: Children, GAMING, Warning, Matt Hancock, Parents, Technology