Why is Fortnite Asking for Parental Permission?

Fortnite is asking for parental permission primarily to comply with international privacy laws designed to protect children online. Specifically, if a player indicates they are under the age of 13 years old, or under the age of digital consent in their country (whichever is higher), their account will become what’s known as a Cabined Account. These laws, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, mandate that companies obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing a child’s personal information. This requirement ensures that children’s data is handled responsibly and that parents have control over what information is shared online. Therefore, the need for parental permission is directly tied to legal compliance and the protection of young players within the Fortnite ecosystem.

Understanding Cabined Accounts and Age of Digital Consent

To fully grasp why Fortnite requires parental permission, it’s essential to understand the concept of Cabined Accounts and the age of digital consent.

A Cabined Account is a restricted Fortnite account for players who have indicated they are under the age of digital consent. These accounts have limited access to certain features, such as voice chat, purchasing items, and playing certain game modes, until parental consent is obtained. This restriction is in place to protect children’s privacy and ensure compliance with relevant laws.

The age of digital consent varies by country. For example, in the United States, the age is 13, while in many European countries, it’s 16. Fortnite uses the player’s self-reported date of birth to determine whether parental consent is required. This can lead to some confusion if a player is over 13 but still falls under the age of digital consent in their specific country.

The Process of Obtaining Parental Permission

The process of obtaining parental permission on Fortnite typically involves the following steps:

1. Account Creation: When a player creates a Fortnite account, they are asked to provide their date of birth.

2. Age Verification: If the provided age is below the age of digital consent, the account is flagged as requiring parental permission.

3. Parental Email Request: The player is prompted to enter their parent or guardian’s email address.

4. Consent Request: An email is sent to the parent or guardian, requesting their consent to allow the child to access the full features of Fortnite.

5. Verification: The parent or guardian must then verify their identity and grant consent through a provided link or code. This might involve creating an Epic Games account for the parent, if they don’t already have one.

Once parental consent is granted, the Cabined Account is upgraded, and the player can access all of Fortnite’s features. If consent is not granted, the account remains restricted.

Benefits of Parental Controls

While it might seem like a hassle, parental controls offer several benefits:

• Protecting Children’s Privacy: Parental controls help protect children’s personal information and prevent it from being shared without parental knowledge or consent.

• Managing Spending: Parents can set spending limits on in-game purchases, preventing unexpected charges.

• Controlling Communication: Parents can manage who their children can communicate with within the game, reducing the risk of online harassment or inappropriate interactions.

• Monitoring Gameplay: Some parental control features allow parents to monitor their child’s gameplay activity, ensuring they are playing safely and responsibly.

Ultimately, parental controls are designed to create a safer and more enjoyable gaming experience for younger players. For more information on the intersection of games and learning, consider exploring resources from the Games Learning Society, accessible at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

What If I Incorrectly Entered My Birthdate?

Mistakes happen. If you accidentally entered the wrong birthdate and now Fortnite is requesting parental permission, you’ll need to contact Epic Games Support directly. Provide proof of your correct age, such as a driver’s license or passport, to have your account updated. The support team will guide you through the necessary steps to rectify the situation. It is crucial to provide accurate information to regain full access to your account’s features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I know if my child’s Fortnite account is a Cabined Account?

A Cabined Account will have restricted features, such as limited access to voice chat and the inability to make purchases. You’ll also receive a notification from Epic Games requesting parental consent if your child’s account falls under this category. Check the account settings within Fortnite, where it should be clearly indicated if parental permission is required.

2. What happens if I don’t provide parental consent?

If you don’t provide parental consent, the account will remain a Cabined Account. This means your child will not be able to access certain features, such as voice chat, purchasing items, or playing certain game modes. The account will have limited functionality until consent is provided.

3. Can I revoke parental consent after granting it?

Yes, you can revoke parental consent at any time. To do so, you’ll need to log in to your Epic Games account and navigate to the parental controls settings. From there, you can remove consent, which will revert the account to a Cabined Account.

4. How do I set up parental controls for Fortnite?

Go to your account settings via the Epic Games Launcher or the Epic Games Store website. Ensure you’re on the PARENTAL CONTROLS tab on the left side of the screen. You should see the “Set Parental Controls PIN” window. Enter your six-digit PIN at the prompt and then proceed to choose the desired on/off state for each setting.

5. What is a Parental Control PIN?

A Parental Control PIN is a six-digit number that you set up to protect your parental control settings. This PIN is required to make any changes to the settings, ensuring that only you can modify them.

6. What kind of information does Fortnite collect from my child?

Fortnite collects various types of information, including:

• Account Information: Name, email address, and date of birth.
• Gameplay Data: Game progress, stats, and preferences.
• Communication Data: Chat logs and voice recordings (if voice chat is enabled).
• Device Information: IP address, device type, and operating system.

This data is used to provide and improve the game, as well as for marketing and advertising purposes (with parental consent, where required).

7. How do I turn off parental permissions on Fortnite?

You can’t directly “turn off” parental permissions if they are required due to your child’s age. However, you can remove individual restrictions within the parental control settings, such as disabling voice chat or setting spending limits. If your child has reached the age of digital consent in their country, the parental permission requirement will automatically be lifted.

8. How do I change my child’s date of birth on Fortnite?

You cannot directly change the date of birth on a Fortnite account. If the date of birth was entered incorrectly, you will need to contact Epic Games Support and provide documentation to verify your child’s correct age.

9. What if I forget my Parental Control PIN?

If you forget your Parental Control PIN, you can reset it by clicking the “Forgot PIN?” link on the Parental Controls page. You will need to verify your email address to reset the PIN.

10. Why is Fortnite asking for my child’s age?

Fortnite asks for your child’s age to comply with privacy laws like COPPA and GDPR, which require parental consent for players under the age of digital consent. It is also used to tailor the game experience and ensure a safe online environment.

11. Can I create a Fortnite account for my child without providing parental consent?

No, you cannot create a Fortnite account for a child under the age of digital consent without providing parental consent. Creating an account without consent would violate privacy laws and could result in penalties for Epic Games.

12. What if I suspect my child is lying about their age on Fortnite?

If you suspect your child is lying about their age, you should encourage them to be honest and provide their correct date of birth. If they are found to be lying, Epic Games may take action, such as restricting or banning their account.

13. How do I know that Epic Games is handling my child’s data safely?

Epic Games has a comprehensive privacy policy that outlines how they collect, use, and protect personal information. They also implement security measures to protect data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. You can review their privacy policy on the Epic Games website.

14. Are parental controls available on all platforms where Fortnite is played?

Yes, parental controls are available on all platforms where Fortnite is played, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. The controls can be accessed and managed through the Epic Games account settings.

15. Where can I find more resources about online safety for children?

There are many resources available to help parents protect their children online. Some helpful websites include the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and Common Sense Media. Understanding and utilizing these resources can significantly enhance your child’s online safety.

16. How does Epic Games use the collected information from children?

Epic Games uses the collected information from children to provide and improve the game, personalize the gaming experience, and ensure a safe online environment. With parental consent, they may also use the information for marketing and advertising purposes. They might also use the information to provide customer support, enforce their terms of service, and comply with legal obligations. The GamesLearningSociety.org studies game design and learning.