Anyone else struggle with the fortnite social pressure thing?

2d ago1 min read

My 11-year-old is the only kid in his friend group without a switch and it's becoming this whole thing at school. He says everyone plays Fortnite together after school and he's missing out on conversations. I'm not against gaming but I don't want to just cave because of peer pressure. How do you guys handle this? Do your kids actually need the latest stuff or are you managing to stick to your limits?

7 comments200 views

Comments(7)

CCarlos H.New Dad2d ago

This is tough because it's not really about the game, it's about fitting in with the group. We've had to make some tough calls with all three of ours about what we buy and when. If a Switch is in the cards eventually, great, but maybe in the meantime see if there are other ways he can stay connected to these kids outside of Fortnite.

WWill T.Regular2d ago

Man, I feel this one. My son's been asking about a Switch too and I keep telling him we'll figure it out when we figure it out. The peer pressure at 11 is real though, maybe check if any of his friends' parents would be cool with him playing at their place sometimes?

PPhil B.Regular2d ago

Yeah we're dealing with the same thing right now with our three. What we've found is that it's not always about having the exact same console, sometimes it's about finding other games or activities they can actually do together. Hang in there, this phase passes.

BBrandonNew Dad2d ago

Everyone has a Switch around here. If he's the only one it probably does feel like he's missing out socially. That said, you don't need one just because his friends have one. Maybe talk to the other parents about what their kids are actually playing?

JJake M.New Dad1d ago

This is such a tough one because the social aspect is real but peer pressure is real too. We ended up getting a Switch but with strict limits on which games and how much. It's a compromise but at least he's not totally left out.

DDaniel M.New Dad1d ago

We compromised by letting him play at friends houses instead of buying one. Saved money and he learned the games weren't as essential as he thought.

LLucas M.Regular1d ago

The peer pressure is brutal but so is the 200 dollar price tag. How long has he been asking? Sometimes they move on to the next thing if you wait it out.