Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TEACH OUR KIDS WEB SAFETY
School heads demand lessons on gaming threat to pupils
PUPILS need lessons about online dangers including the risks of “addictive games” such as Fortnite, head teachers say.
Demands for “curriculum time” to teach web safety follow cases of kids hooked on games.
One union rep said: “Gaming problems reinforce a need for dedicated time on safe use of online resources.”
DISTURBING cases of young pupils addicted to online games such as Fortnite are driving calls for lessons on online dangers.
Teachers have texted parents to ban the combat game after seeing bleary-eyed pupils wander in to class following late-night gaming binges.
School leaders are now demanding curriculum time to teach healthy online use, as part of Personal Social Health and Economic Education.
National Association of Head Teachers chief Nick Brook said: “To help young people navigate challenges of the digital age, we’d like protected curriculum space.
“Recent reports of problems with online gaming only reinforces the need to educate children on safe and healthy use of online resources.”
The Sunday People revealed at the weekend a girl aged nine is in rehab after getting so hooked she would wet herself rather than leave the screen. And the Mirror told yesterday how a 15-year-old boy is set to be the NHS’S first gaming addict patient.
Schools have pleaded with parents to limit their child’s exposure to Fortnite, a Hunger Games-style title in which 100 players aim to wipe out rivals to be the last person standing.
St Bernadette’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School in Harrow, North London told parents: “Fortnite is causing big problems for us in school.
“It is unsuitable for primary pupils and needs to be banned at home.”
Springhead Primary in Willerby, Yorks, warned parents after “sleepy children” as young as Year 4 were staying up late for game sessions.
Fortnite boasts 40 million downloads worldwide. No blood is shown and it is rated 12 for “frequent scenes of mild violence”. Publisher Epic Games has been asked to comment.
EDUCATING today’s children about the serious risks of online games should be on the curriculum.
Head teachers are spotting the dangers of pupils hooked on games such as the survival craze, Fortnite. Kids are turning up sleepy, are totally distracted in class and obsessed by computer games at the expense of all else.
Parents must keep an eye on what their children are doing, calling time on excessive gaming and shielding younger kids in particular from violent fantasies.
It is refreshing heads are discussing how they can reinforce warnings or advise those who, for whatever reasons, don’t receive parental guidance at home.
We live in an interconnected wi-fi world but the physical and mental health of our youth mustn’t fall victim to manufacturers producing gory games full of mayhem and murder.