Fortnite Mobile Is Giving Teachers a Headache
Fortnite mobile is causing lots of problems in schools. From sneaking in matches during classes and fighting over winning to slowing down school Wi-Fi, many people within the school system are complaining.
High school AP computer science teacher Nick Gutierrez spoke on the increase of kids neglecting schoolwork in favor of the mobile battle royale game.
“There has been a rise in the number of incidents with students walking into classes while playing the games,” he said. “They started a match during lunch, or before school, and need to finish the 10-15 [minute] long matches. I have noticed in my room students siting next to each other trying to play while pretending to do work.”
During a period when kids were supposed to ask questions to prepare for the AP test, students in Gutierrez’ class debated about Fortnite instead.
“Students spent the entire time talking about PUBG’s auto aim, and not the question like normal,” Gutierrez said. “I jokingly asked ‘Which is going to matter more in a few months for the AP exam? This, or PUBG?’ to which predictably, a student in the back yells ‘FORTNITE’S BETTER.'”
Some schools have even banned students from downloading Fortnite on their provided iPads or outright banned the game from being played on school Wi-Fi networks.
Epic Games’ mobile version of the massively popular PC and console game was released last week. It topped the iOS charts in 47 countries within the day of its launch. Not only that, it generated $1 million in in-app purchases within the first three days of being on the App Store. This is more impressive when you consider that the game is free-to-play and invite-only.
“When you mix in the fact that you have to Snapchat every ‘dub’ (win) you get or Snapchat your friends losing it merges two of the biggest distractions in school,” said Nick Fisher, a teacher who says he has been confiscating phones of kids playing during class.