Fortnite
What is Fortnite?
Fortnite is a free-to-play online game and creation platform from Epic Games. Alongside Battle Royale, it includes experiences such as LEGO Fortnite, racing, rhythm games and user-created islands. Depending on the experience and settings, players can use voice or text chat and buy cosmetic items with V-Bucks. Platform availability and cross-platform features vary. [1]
Age limit: When a player says they are under their country’s age of digital consent, Epic creates a Cabined Account: some features remain unavailable until a parent or guardian completes consent and chooses permissions. This is not a universal “under 13” rule. Store and experience ratings also vary by platform and country. [3]
Why do kids like it?
- It is competitive and social. Children can play with friends in squads and work towards shared goals.
- More than one game. Creative mode, LEGO Fortnite, racing and rhythm games provide alternatives to Battle Royale.
- It is free to start. Core experiences can be played without buying cosmetic items. [1]
- It changes often. Seasons, events, collaborations and creator-made experiences give friends new things to discuss.
What are the real risks?
- Contact with unknown players. Team and social features can connect a child with unknown players when permissions allow it. Under-10 accounts can be permitted up to Friends Only; under-13 accounts can be permitted up to Friends, Team Members & Connections. Console party chat and third-party voice apps use separate controls. [2]
- In-app spending. V-Bucks are used for cosmetic items, and repeated purchases can create unexpected costs.
- Social pressure around cosmetics. Limited-time or popular skins can make children feel that they need the same items as their friends.
- Creator-made islands are not all alike. Themes and interactions vary from one user-created island to the next, so a child can move from a mild experience to a harsher one without leaving the game.
- AI-powered characters. An LLM-powered character can produce an unsuitable response. Epic provides a separate reporting route for these interactions. [6]
Settings to check
- Create a parental-controls PIN: Sign in at epicgames.com → Account → Parental Controls, then create the six-digit PIN. Do not reuse a device passcode. [2]
- Limit voice chat: Open Parental Controls → Epic Voice Chat Permission and choose the narrowest audience that fits how the child plays, such as Friends Only or Nobody. Under-10 accounts cannot be permitted beyond Friends Only; under-13 accounts cannot be permitted beyond Friends, Team Members & Connections. [2]
- Limit text chat: Open Parental Controls → Epic Text Chat Permission and choose an audience. Text reporting is always on for players under 18 when text chat is available, but that does not mean text chat itself is enabled. [2]
- Review friend requests: Open Parental Controls → Require a PIN to Add Epic Friends. Check Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo friend systems separately because Epic’s PIN does not govern every platform-level request. [2]
- Require purchase approval: Open Parental Controls → Require a PIN for Epic Games Payments. This applies to Epic’s payment service; console and other platform stores use separate purchase controls. [2]
- Secure the account: Open epicgames.com → Account → Password & Security → Two-Factor Authentication. Epic supports email, SMS and authenticator-app methods. Use Epic’s website directly rather than links that promise free V-Bucks and may try to collect account credentials; Epic prohibits scams and deceptive practices. [4] [5]
- Practise mute, block and report: Open Fortnite → profile icon → menu → Report → Submit a report, then choose the relevant player or content. Text and voice chat have Report chat options; use Epic’s dedicated option for an LLM-powered character. Report the specific interaction so moderators receive useful context. [6]
How to talk about it
“Who do you usually play with — friends from school, or people you’ve met in the game?”
“What’s it like when you use voice chat with people you don’t know?”
“What do you think about things costing money inside a free game?”
Last reviewed: September 2026