Fortnite

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is a free-to-play online game developed by Epic Games. It is best known for its battle royale mode where up to 100 players compete to be the last one standing, but it has grown into a broader platform that includes creative building, LEGO Fortnite, racing, rhythm games and thousands of user-created experiences. Fortnite features voice and text chat, a virtual currency called V-Bucks for cosmetic purchases, and is available cross-platform — players on PC, console and mobile can all play together. Players under 13 receive a “Cabined Account” with restricted social features and purchasing until a parent grants consent.

Age rating: 12 (PEGI) / Teen (ESRB).

Why do kids like it?

• It’s competitive and social. Children play with friends in squads, and winning together is a shared experience that keeps them coming back.
• More than one game. Creative mode, LEGO Fortnite, racing and rhythm games mean there is something for every type of player — not just those who enjoy combat.
• It’s free. Anyone can download and play without paying. The barrier to entry is zero.
• Constantly updated with new seasons, live events and pop-culture collaborations — Marvel, Star Wars, music artists — so there is always something new to talk about at school.

What are the real risks?

• Voice chat with strangers. In random squads, children can talk to anyone — including adults whose language or behaviour may be inappropriate. After a match, other players can also send friend requests.
• In-app spending. V-Bucks are used for cosmetic items and the costs add up quickly. Children may feel social pressure to own the latest skins.
• Scam links and phishing. Fake websites, videos and social-media posts promise free V-Bucks to trick children into sharing account credentials.
• Chat outside Epic’s controls. Console party chat (Xbox, PlayStation) and PC voice apps like Discord operate independently of Fortnite’s parental controls, so restrictions set in-game may not apply there.

Settings to check

1. Parental controls PIN: Create a 6-digit PIN at epicgames.com → Account → Parental Controls to lock all safety settings.
2. Voice chat: Set to “Friends Only” or “Nobody” under Parental Controls → Epic Voice Chat Permission. Accounts under 10 are limited to “Friends Only” at most.
3. Text chat: Set to “Friends Only” or “Nobody” under Parental Controls → Epic Text Chat Permission. A mature-language filter is always on for accounts under 13.
4. Friend-request PIN: Turn on “Require a PIN to Add Friends” under Parental Controls. This does not affect platform-level friend systems on Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch.
5. Purchase PIN: Turn on “Require a PIN for Epic Games Payments” under Parental Controls. This covers Epic payments only — PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Steam have separate purchase controls.
6. Two-factor authentication: Enable at epicgames.com → Account → Password & Security to protect against unauthorised access.

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: April 2026