Let's Discuss Fortnite - What Parents Need To Know
- info732707
- Feb 4
- 5 min read
Fortnite is a wildly popular online game where 100 players battle it out to be the last one standing. It's often called a "battle royale" game because of this intense competition. As a parent it's crucial you know how it works to increase your understanding so you don't appear to not know what you're talking about with your kids.
Here's the basic gameplay:
The Map: Players start on a large map and must scavenge for weapons, build defenses, and fight other players.
The Storm: As the game progresses, a deadly storm shrinks the playable area, forcing players closer together and increasing the intensity of the battles.
The Goal: The last player standing wins
Playing with Friends:
Fortnite can be played solo, in pairs (duos), or in teams of up to four players. This makes it a great game for kids to play with their friends.
Different Game Modes:
Fortnite isn't just about battle royale. There are other game modes, including:
Save The World: A cooperative campaign where players work together to complete missions and fight off a storm.
Fortnite Festival: A music and rhythm game where players can perform songs.
Lego Fortnite: A Lego-themed version of Fortnite designed for younger players.
Rocket Racing: A racing spin-off game.
Age Rating:
The overall PEGI rating for Fortnite is 12 due to the violence and some mature content in certain experiences. However, other modes like Lego Fortnite have lower ratings.
Important Considerations:
While Fortnite can be a fun and engaging game, it's important to be aware of potential risks like:
In-Game Violence: The game involves shooting and fighting, which may be unsuitable for younger children.
Online Communication: Kids may interact with other players online, which could expose them to inappropriate language or behavior.
Addiction: Like any video game, Fortnite can be addictive, so it's important to set limits and encourage balanced play.
Fortnite Phrases your kids use and what they mean
One of the main problems I see when working with families is that parents can't relate to what on earth their kids are talking about...here are some phrases to learn so that your kids will be less likely to assume you don't know what you're talking about. If your kids think you know about the game, they will start to monitor their own behaviour far more than if they think you don't have a clue...
Chapter: Think of it like a big update that completely changes the game. Chapters usually last a year or two and introduce a brand new map, along with tons of other exciting features.
Season: Each chapter is divided into seasons, which last about 90 days. Seasons bring smaller map changes, new themes, and special battle passes.
Customising Your Character:
Skin: This is an outfit or cosmetic item that changes the way your child's character looks.
Emote: These are special animations your character can perform, like dances, gestures, or even pop culture references.
Levelling Up and Rewards:
Experience Points (XP): These are earned by completing challenges, fighting enemies, building structures, and collecting loot. XP helps your child level up their character.
Battle Pass: This is a special item bundle that your child can use to unlock rewards as they gain XP during a season. There's a free version with a smaller selection of items, and a paid premium version with over 100 rewards.
In-Game Currency:
V-Bucks: This is Fortnite's in-game currency. Your child can use real money to buy V-Bucks, which they can then use to purchase skins, emotes, and other items.
Loot Llama: This is a special item bundle that offers a bunch of rewards when opened. They can be purchased with V-Bucks or sometimes earned through gameplay.
Why Does My Child Want a Battle Pass?
Battle passes are a big deal in Fortnite because they offer a chance to unlock rewards like new skins, emotes, and other items. The premium battle pass gives your child access to a wider variety of rewards, which is why they might be asking for it. Freemium games like Fortnite are designed to hook your child in and encourage spending on cosmetic items to show off and look cool - Every game has a cost...especially the free ones.
Supporting Your Child with Fortnite
Ensure they know what to do if they experience abuse from players
Tell them they won't be in trouble for telling you about any negative experiences they have playing Fortnite. It's crucial your child feels able to speak to you freely. Remind them to block and report players
Understand how the game works to help set boundaries with less drama
Fortnite games cannot be paused. This means when a child is in a game they will be focused and feel extremely frustrated if you tell them to stop for a minute because in their eyes - they might die in-game! Setting a clear boundary of 'this is your last game' or 'one more game before screen time ends' will lead to less frustration for both of you. Try it and see...
Talk to your child about the difference between online friends and real-life friends. Explain that people they only know through Fortnite are strangers, and it's important to be cautious.
Make sure your child knows they should never share personal information, photos or videos of themselves, or agree to go on a livestream with someone they only know online.
If an online friend asks for any of the things mentioned above, or tries to move the conversation to another platform like WhatsApp, or suggests meeting up in person, it's a red flag. Teach your child to come to you immediately.
If your child tells you about this kind of communication, report the player both within the game and to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection).
Responsible Spending:
Talk openly with your child about in-game spending. Explain that V-Bucks are real money, and it's important to spend responsibly.
Decide on spending limits and allowances for Fortnite. This helps your child understand the value of money and avoid overspending.
What Settings Can I Change To Help My Child Stay Safe On Fortnite?
To set up Parental Controls through Fortnite:
Launch Fortnite
Select your Player Icon (circle in with an image of your character) in the upper right corner
Select the Menu Icon (hamburger menu, which looks 3 stacked lines) in the lower right column
Select Parental Controls in the right column
Select Set Up Parental Controls
First,choose and confirm the email address. The email address should be an email the parent controls.
If no email is linked to the account, you may upgrade this Epic account using your email address by following the steps here: How do I upgrade a console or platform account to a full Epic Games account?
Set up your 6-digit Parental Controls PIN
This PIN will be required to change parental controls in the future, so make sure to set a PIN that is different from other PINs that you use and is easy for you to remember.
You’re all set! You are now able to select your parental control preferences.
Fortnite has some helpful parental controls that can help you keep your child safe. You can:
Filter Chat: Block inappropriate language in text chat.
Limit Connections: Disable friend requests or turn off voice and text chat.
Secure Purchases: Set a password for making in-game purchases.
Track Playtime: Turn on Playtime Reporting to receive weekly emails about your child's playtime.
Final Thoughts
I'll be honest - I have played Fortnite 3 times, and I won every single time because I hate to lose. The sheer amount of pressure to win and survive is absolutely captivating for young minds, but at my age the last thing I want is to have the high-stress that these games thrive on to keep young minds addicted. Throw in the influencers constantly churning out new gameplay videos and tips on winning to increase their own revenue through Youtube and Twitch - it's easy to understand why parents and children are so frustrated when it comes to online gaming.
If you are looking for bespoke parenting advice on how to deal with online gaming and make your family life more peaceful - book your free consultation below.
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