By Faisal Shafiullah – January 7, 2025 – 2-minute read

As a father of young boys, I’ve experienced firsthand the powerful grip that games like Fortnite can have on our children—and even on us as parents. For a time, my son was hooked, and I found myself getting drawn into the game alongside him. But two months ago, we made a tough decision: we took away the PlayStation and said goodbye to Fortnite. The change has been nothing short of remarkable.

Since then, we’ve seen drastic improvements in his focus, behavior, and overall engagement in healthier activities. This journey has opened my eyes to the deeper risks these games pose. Designed with input from psychologists, Fortnite and similar games leverage “the dark side” of psychology to keep players hooked. From perfectly timed releases of new skins and features to the endless cycle of online chatter, these games are engineered to stimulate dopamine hits—rewarding and reinforcing behavior that can lead to addiction.

And let’s be honest—as parents, it’s easy to let this happen. Between working from home, managing busy schedules, or even just trying to grab a moment of peace, video games, and TV can become convenient babysitters. I’ve been there, distracted by my own devices or work while my child was glued to the screen. It’s a vicious cycle: while we’re caught up in our own distractions, our kids aren’t getting the quality time and engagement they truly need.

Many of you may have experienced this firsthand during winter break, when the holidays brought extra time at home, and gaming became an easy way to keep the kids entertained. It’s during these moments that we see just how deeply these games can take hold of their attention—and ours. And don’t forget the sugary accompaniments: hello Sour Patch Kids! Pairing dopamine hits from gaming with sugar highs is a double-edged sword for their focus and behavior.

The danger doesn’t stop at home. This issue is creeping into sports and the workforce. Many athletes who grew up hooked on gaming are now struggling with comprehension, learning plays, and staying focused. Coaches are finding it harder to instill discipline and focus because the instant gratification of gaming has trained their minds to seek constant stimulation.

We’re also seeing this play out in the young workforce, where attention spans are shorter, and the ability to focus on complex tasks or follow through on long-term goals is diminished. These gaming habits, formed at an early age, are impacting how today’s young professionals process, perform, and adapt in high-pressure environments.

I have a few solutions in mind to help make a change and would love to make this part of my mission. This isn’t just about parenting or gaming—it’s about the future of how we raise kids to thrive in a world that demands focus, creativity, and resilience.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—whether you’re a parent, coach, or professional. Have you noticed similar challenges? What solutions have worked for you? Let’s collaborate and share ideas in the comments below.

#Parenting #MentalHealth #ADHD #GamingAddiction #Fortnite #FutureOfWork #Athletes #Focus #QualityTime #Dopamine