Warning: This story deals with violence and abuse.
If you’re a parent, you know you can lecture your kids about stuff until your voice is hoarse – but nothing teaches them a lesson like seeing consequences. And this week, the internet did just that – showed our kids what happens when you feel entitled to behave in a certain way.
In an allegedly criminal way. In a way that makes you part of the problem with the epidemic of domestic violence in Australia.
Yes, I’m talking about that disgusting video of a ‘man’, responding to his pregnant partner when she asked him to stop playing a video game and come to dinner. The gamer named “MrDeadMoth” called her a dog, screamed profanity, and allegedly hit her – in a sustained attack, with their small children audibly screeching in distress about what they were witnessing.
We know all of this because he was connected to a live stream, and the world saw and heard most of it. Which was fortunate, because it gave those who were watching the alleged assault the chance to alert the police, leading to the man’s arrest and him being charged, and served with an AVO. As the video went viral, he was also sacked from his job.
Mamamia Out Loud is the podcast with what women are talking about. This week, they discuss the alleged Fortnite assault, and how much it actually has to do with a video game. Post continues below.
Now of course, I would have much preferred my 11-year-old had not seen this deeply disturbing video. But, before I’d even heard about it, he and his friends were watching it, sharing it, and talking about it on WhatsApp. They were distraught. They were appalled. They had lots of questions. And my son asked me all of them:
Top Comments
Bad parenting to allow your child to watch such violent/destructive behavior. Why would this be a tv show you'd agree to having your child watch?? Sorry, I don't get it.
Why is an 11 yr old playing a game with a minimum age of 12? While a year would appear to make not a whole lot of difference, a year's development in a child is considerable.
It is well known that this game causes people to become aggressive - it is highly addictive.
Did you know Pavlov~ The father of classical conditioning lead his sons to attempt suicide? What makes you think it's so easy to decide what's best for children?
Umm, there's a minimum age to be able to be registered for a host of social media and gaming sites. If a child (and their parents) cannot respect the rules, then they can cop the outcome of their child doing something they're not properly prepared for.
Oh, but that's right. They just go and blame someone else for their poor decisions and shortcomings as parents.
Yep, aware of Pavlov. So what?
"If a child (and their parents) cannot respect the rules, then they can cop the outcome of their child doing something they're not properly prepared for."
Not entirely sure what you mean by this, or if it has anything to do with my reply.
It's best for children to be guided by their parents with appropriate restrictions/rules/supervision.
It is a well known fact that Fortnite is highly addictive and that people become aggressive due to the nature of the game.
In our society, we're so well conditioned to accept DV (and to a lesser extent child abuse) it was great to see someone call him out by contacting the Police. I grew up affected by both and people turned a blind eye even when I straight up asked for help from yet another beating.