Can I Add a Child to My Epic Games Account?

The short answer is: Yes, you can add a child to your Epic Games account, but not in the way you might initially think. Unlike some other platforms, Epic Games doesn’t offer a traditional “child account” that is directly linked to a parent account in a simple hierarchical structure. Instead, Epic Games focuses on parental controls and consent to ensure a safe and age-appropriate gaming experience for younger players. This approach aims to provide both security and flexibility for families.

Rather than adding a child as a sub-user under your primary account, you’ll likely be creating separate individual Epic Games accounts for each child. However, these accounts will be managed using parental control features, which you can customize to restrict access to specific content and features based on your child’s age. The good news is that there are options for family library sharing, where games purchased on one account can be played by other family members on the same PC.

It is important to note that Epic Games asks for a date of birth to apply settings that ensure the best experience for all players. Depending on the age and the country where they live, some features or content may be restricted until a child is older or has parental permission.

So, while you won’t directly “add” a child to your account, you will be setting up a safe gaming environment for them, often with the help of a parental consent process facilitated by Epic’s partner, SuperAwesome.

Understanding Parental Controls and Consent

Epic Games understands the importance of safeguarding younger players. Therefore, they implement robust parental controls that allow parents to tailor their child’s experience. These controls enable parents to:

• Manage in-game communication: Parents can restrict who their child can chat with online.
• Control content access: This lets you limit what games and features your child can use.
• Set spending limits: If your child can make in-game purchases, you can manage how much they can spend.

The parental consent process is triggered when a player indicates they are under 13 (or their country’s age of digital consent). This process usually involves:

• Providing a parent or guardian’s email address.
• Verifying parent identity with methods like face scans, credit or debit card verification, or ID scans.
• Setting a 6-digit PIN to make adjustments to parental control settings.

Creating an Account for Your Child

Here are the general steps to take when setting up an account for a child:

1. Create a New Epic Games Account: Begin by creating a new account specifically for your child.
2. Enter Accurate Date of Birth: Be sure to enter your child’s correct date of birth. This will trigger parental consent and control options.
3. Parental Consent: Follow the prompts to provide parental consent by entering a parent’s email address.
4. Verify Parent Identity: Use the method of verification provided by SuperAwesome.
5. Set Parental Controls: Go through the parental controls menu and customize settings as needed.
6. Set a Secure PIN: Choose a memorable 6-digit PIN for parental control changes.

Family Library Sharing and Multiple Users

While individual accounts are needed, Epic Games does offer options to share games with family members. On a single computer, you can authorize library sharing for different accounts that have logged into that machine. This means that your child can play games from your library on the same device without having to purchase them again.

Also, If multiple people in your family use the same Epic Games account, they can set up unique usernames and passwords. New users will have to accept the Terms of Use the first time they log in. Creating these multiple users is completely optional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about adding children to Epic Games accounts:

1. Can an 11-year-old have an Epic Games account?

Yes, an 11-year-old can have an Epic Games account. However, they will likely need parental consent to access certain features, depending on their location. While waiting for consent, they can still play games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys with access to their previously purchased or earned content.

2. Can a child play Fortnite if they are under 13?

Yes, children under 13 can play Fortnite, but may require parental consent and have specific restrictions on content and features depending on the age and location. Epic Games encourages parents to use parental controls to manage their child’s gaming experience. Although it’s rated PEGI 12 for elements of violence, it’s not uncommon for younger children to play, hence parental controls are important.

3. How many children can use Epic Games on one account?

You can create profiles for up to four children. To use the service. If you have more than four children, Epic Games recommends creating another parent account with a different email address.

4. Can I share my Epic Games library with my child?

Yes, you can use the family library sharing option on a single computer. This will allow other accounts that have logged into the same machine to play games from your library.

5. Can I use the same email address for multiple Epic Games accounts?

No, each Epic Games account must have a unique email address. You cannot create two Epic Games accounts with the same email address. If you try, you will receive an error.

6. How does Epic Games verify a child’s age?

Epic Games uses a third-party platform called SuperAwesome to verify age. They use several methods, including face scans, credit or debit card verification, and ID scans.

7. What information does Epic Games collect for parental consent?

Epic Games collects information such as parent/guardian email address and possibly information needed for identity verification, like face scans or card details. The amount and type of data collected may depend on region-specific laws.

8. What is the Epic Games Parental Control PIN?

This is a 6-digit PIN that you set when configuring parental controls. It’s needed whenever you want to make changes to parental control settings. Ensure you remember this PIN.

9. Can I change my child’s age on their Epic Games Account?

It is generally difficult to change a child’s birthdate on their Epic Games account without contacting support and going through their verification processes, as this information influences the level of access and permissions. It is crucial to accurately input the date of birth.

10. Is Fortnite suitable for a 7-year-old?

Common Sense Media recommends Fortnite for teens 13 and up. Although the violence is cartoon-like, there is still open chat and interactive action, which can be unsuitable for younger children without supervision.

11. What if my child’s account is nameless?

If your child’s account is nameless, you will need to add an email address and password to enable the parental consent process.

12. Why does Epic Games need my ID?

Epic Games needs ID or other forms of parental verification to comply with privacy laws. This ensures you’re an adult and can give permission for your child to access the platform.

13. Can I allow my child to play Fortnite?

You can allow your child to play Fortnite but with consideration for the PEGI 12 rating, and you are able to control what they have access to through parental controls. It’s always good to be mindful of age-appropriate content.

14. What does it mean to authorize library sharing?

Authorizing library sharing allows games purchased on a specific Epic Games account on a specific computer to be shared with other authorized accounts that log into the same computer.

15. What if my child shares account details?

Account details should always be kept confidential. Never share your Epic Games account details to avoid fraud and theft.

Conclusion

While there isn’t a traditional “add a child” feature, setting up an Epic Games account for your child is designed to be safe and flexible. By using individual accounts for each child, leveraging parental controls, and utilizing library sharing, you can create a manageable gaming experience for the whole family. Remember to always prioritize safety, monitor your children’s online interactions, and customize the controls to suit your family’s needs. This approach not only lets your child enjoy Epic Games but also provides a framework for a secure online gaming environment.