FORTNITE
FORTNITE
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MINIMUM AGE: 12+
WHAT IS IT? Fortnite is a fast-paced, online multiplayer game where players collaborate to survive by battling other characters controlled by the game itself or other players. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. ✅ Positive Themes
⚠️ KEY CONCERNS 🔞Exposure to Inappropriate Content While Fortnite’s cartoony style minimises graphic content, the core gameplay still revolves around combat, which some players (especially younger ones) may find extreme. In open lobbies and voice chats, players may encounter profanity, bullying, or harassment from others. This can also include players encouraging risky or harmful behaviours, like gambling on in-game items. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Players often share usernames, locations, or other personal details—intentionally or not. Without proper privacy settings, children can be contacted by strangers or have their data misused. 💬 Direct Messaging Fortnite allows direct communication through in-game chat and voice, as well as linking with external platforms (e.g., Discord, Xbox, PlayStation Network). Players, especially younger ones, can easily be contacted by strangers by DM. Direct messaging opens up risks for sharing personal details that can be misused. 📱 Cyberbullying and Harassment Competitive play can lead to toxic behaviour, including name-calling, insults, or exclusion by peers. This may happen via in-game chat or through social media linked to gaming accounts. 🧑💻 Online Predators & Grooming Since Fortnite includes real-time voice and text chat, predators may attempt to befriend children, gain trust, and manipulate them over time - often pretending to be fellow players. 🧠 Addiction & Mental Health The game’s fast pace and reward systems (like Battle Passes and achievements) can lead to excessive screen time, disrupted sleep, irritability, or dependency, especially in younger players. 🎮 Game Concerns (e.g., Violence) Fortnite involves cartoon-style shooting, which—while less graphic than other games—still centers on combat and elimination, potentially desensitising children to violence. 💸 In-Game Purchases Fortnite uses microtransactions for items like skins, emotes, and other cosmetic features. Players can spend significant amounts of money on in-game purchases. Players may encounter scams, especially around trading in-game items or buying rare skins. 📢 Lack of Advert Moderation Third-party content (like YouTube videos or Twitch streams of Fortnite) may include inappropriate ads or endorsements, not always filtered or suitable for children. 🔓 Scams & Account Theft Fake V-Buck giveaways, phishing websites, and suspicious links can trick players into sharing login info, leading to account theft or loss of in-game purchases. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the game Familiarise yourself with the games features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. 👨👧Parental supervision Check their interactions and adjust privacy settings accordingly. Ensure you take advantage of Epic Games parental controls, which offer valuable features to help manage your child's gaming experience. 💸Limit In-App Purchases Set spending limits or disable in-app purchases on your device to avoid accidental or excessive spending. 🚨Avoid Unofficial Downloads Stick to downloading the game from official sources (like the App Store or Google Play) to avoid malware, data breaches, or compromised versions. 📢Underage Accounts This game might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targeting children and young people. 👥Manage friend requests Teach your child only to accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background—it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behaviour less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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