What Is Fortnite?
Fortnite is an online video game developed by and published by Epic Games. Fortnite, the Fortnite logo, Unreal, Unreal Engine 4, and UE4 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. Fortnite can be played from various consoles, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Fortnite has three distinct game modes namely Fortnite: Save the World, Fortnite Battle Royale, and Fortnite Creative. These variations offer different modes as you play with your squad members, against other users, spawn everything within each map, or create your own battle arenas or racecourses. Out of the three, only Save the World is monetized through Fortnite’s in-game currency, V-Bucks.
Fortnite Parental Controls
Like other video games, there is a risk of exposure to online dangers, particularly mature language or profanities. Fortunately, there is an array of Fortnite parental controls you can set up – from managing chats and friend requests to purchase controls.
For in-game parental controls, simply launch Fortnite on your platform of choice. In the lobby, open the menu in the upper-right of the screen then select Parental Controls. This will lead you to some of the following safety nets.
Linked Email and PIN
Once in the Parental Controls window, you will be prompted to confirm the email address linked to the account. It’s best to use an email address that only you can access. Then, set a unique six-digit PIN. It’s important to be the one to set this PIN as it will be required to make future parental control changes.
Disable Voice and/or Text Chat
When playing, players, including your child, could get carried away. To avoid exposure to hurtful or harmful trash talks, opt to disable voice and text chats. Take note this is only for in-game chats. Just follow the steps into the Parental Controls window then toggle off the corresponding buttons to voice and text chat.
Filter Mature Language
Text chat is possible with squad members on the home page (Fortnite Battle Royale) and in the lobby or private and public match (Fortnite Save The World). You can choose to toggle off the Mature Language Settings to be on the safe side.
Gaming Platform Parental Controls
Fortnite can be played on various platforms, allowing parents to set controls on the console level. This additional layer of a safety net may include restricting playtime and purchases.
Epic Games Store Parental Controls
Take advantage of the parental controls offered in the Epic Games Store by either going to epicgames.com or logging in to the Epic Games launcher on PC/Mac. Parental controls include requiring PINs for purchases and limiting access to games based on age.
Keeping Kids Safe On Fortnite
Fortnite is an action-adventure and role-playing game that’s recommended for users 12-years-old and above. Since it involves scavenging for resources and fighting zombie-like husks and/or other players’ heroes, content could be too violent for younger users. Its built-in chat feature could also be used by malicious users to contact and lure their victims. Like most gaming platforms, Fortnite isn’t perfect. This is why they’re constantly enhancing their safety measures and security protocols. As parents or guardians, be sure to enable all its parental controls and make the most out of the weekly playtime reports.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fortnite Parental Controls & Safety
Is Fortnite safe for kids?
Most software rating boards recommend Fortnite for users aged 12-13 and up. There are various safety nets in place but parental supervision is recommended for younger users.
How do I protect my child from Fortnite?
Fortnite has strong safety measures and security protocols in place and maximizing all these built-in tools could be your first line of defense. You can also install monitoring software that can provide real-time access to your child’s device activities. On top of these, implementing house rules and initiating open and/or positive communication with your child would be a huge help. Equip them with the proper knowledge on how to keep their data secure, and teach them online etiquette.
What do Parental Controls do in Fortnite?
In a nutshell, parental controls in Fortnite were put in place to steer users, especially younger ones, away from cyber threats. The language filter feature, for instance, utilizes multi-layered algorithms that automatically censor profanity, mature, or age-inappropriate words. There’s also an option to turn off the chat feature so that your kid can continue playing Fortnite without being contacted by strangers. Along with several other controls, you could have a weekly playtime report sent to your email address.
How do I access Fortnite parental controls?
To access the Fortnite parental controls, you must sign in to your account via the Epic Games store launcher or the store website. Navigate to the Account Settings page → General Navigation tab. Scroll to the Parental Controls section and customize the settings.