Lawsuit Claims Fortnite and Roblox Altered Child’s Brain Development
A Louisiana mother has filed a lawsuit in San Francisco against Fortnite and Roblox, claiming her child may have suffered structural brain changes due to excessive gaming. Descheca Jackson asserts in her complaint to the US District Court for the Northern District of California that her minor child, referred to as “MA,” has shown signs of internet gaming disorder (IGD) after years of playing video games. These signs include behavioral issues like loss of impulse control, withdrawal symptoms, irritability, anxiety, and trouble stepping away from gameplay. The lawsuit further alleges that MA has faced addiction, social isolation, depression, a decline in friendships, and academic struggles, ultimately leading to “an academic dismissal from school.”
A study from February 2025 highlighted in the lawsuit describes IGD as a pattern where gaming adversely affects daily life, including school, work, and relationships. Symptoms often include excessive gaming, irritability when access is limited, and continued play despite negative outcomes. Research indicates that IGD impacts about one in ten adolescent boys, with games like Minecraft and Roblox frequently cited as contributing factors. Jackson claims that MA has been playing Fortnite and Roblox for years, primarily on Xbox, leading to compulsive gaming behavior driven by reward systems that exploit the developing brain’s dopamine pathways.
The lawsuit references neuroimaging studies related to IGD, suggesting that MA’s developing brain has experienced structural changes in the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for decision-making, emotional regulation, and reward processing. While the complaint acknowledges that Jackson and MA were aware of the potential effects of prolonged gaming on young minds, it argues that MA, being a minor, did not have the legal capacity to understand or consent to the terms and conditions of the games. Therefore, the lawsuit claims these contracts are invalid and unenforceable, particularly because games are designed to maximize engagement through in-game currencies, progression loops, social pressures, limited-time events, and reward schedules.
“MA never agreed to be harmed or exposed to an addictive product,” the lawsuit states. It contends that neither Jackson nor MA entered into a valid contract with the defendants, and any attempt by MA to accept electronic terms was made without understanding the language involved, rendering it unconscionable. The lawsuit raises concerns about negligence, design flaws, failure to provide warnings, and fraud, seeking both general and punitive damages, along with injunctive relief for ten counts.
