Making Fortnite Safe: A Parent’s Guide to Protecting Their Children
Making Fortnite safe for children involves a multi-pronged approach. It’s not just about setting parental controls, but also about open communication, understanding the game’s mechanics, and staying informed about the latest developments. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps you can take to ensure your child has a positive and secure experience playing Fortnite. The key aspects include: understanding and utilizing Fortnite’s parental control features, teaching online safety practices, monitoring gameplay and communication, and setting realistic time limits.
Understanding and Utilizing Fortnite’s Parental Controls
Setting up Parental Controls
Fortnite offers robust parental controls directly within the game. To access them, follow these steps:
- Launch Fortnite on your child’s platform.
- Go to the main menu.
- Select the Settings gear icon.
- Choose PARENTAL CONTROLS.
- Confirm the email address linked to the account.
- Set up a six-digit Parental Controls PIN. This PIN is crucial as it prevents your child from altering the settings without your consent.
Once inside the Parental Controls menu, you’ll find options to:
- Restrict voice chat: You can disable voice chat entirely or limit it to “Friends Only”. This reduces the risk of exposure to inappropriate language or interactions with strangers.
- Filter mature language: This option filters offensive language in text chat.
- Control purchase permissions: Prevent unauthorized purchases of V-Bucks (the in-game currency) by requiring your PIN for any transaction.
- Receive weekly playtime reports: Stay informed about how much time your child spends playing Fortnite with weekly email summaries.
- Limit the people your child can communicate with: You can set the communications to “Friends Only.”
- Set spending limits: Set the spending limits of V-Bucks.
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your child’s Epic Games account. This makes it much harder for someone to hack into the account, even if they have the password. To enable 2FA:
- Go to the Epic Games website.
- Log in to your child’s account.
- Navigate to Account Settings and then Password & Security.
- Scroll down to the Two-Factor Authentication section and choose either Authenticator App or Email Verification. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Teaching Online Safety Practices
Emphasize Account Security
Teach your child the importance of keeping their account details private. They should never share their password or email address with anyone, even online friends. Explain the risks of phishing scams and malicious links. Reinforce that Epic Games will never ask for their password through email or in-game messages.
Discuss Online Interactions
Have open conversations about interacting with strangers online. Teach your child to be cautious about sharing personal information, such as their real name, age, location, or school. Explain the importance of reporting any inappropriate behavior they encounter, such as bullying, harassment, or grooming.
Responsible Communication
Teach your child respectful communication skills. Explain that online interactions should be treated with the same courtesy and respect as face-to-face conversations. Discourage them from engaging in trash talk, insults, or any form of cyberbullying.
Monitoring Gameplay and Communication
Play with Your Child
One of the best ways to understand the Fortnite environment is to play the game with your child. This allows you to observe their interactions, identify potential risks, and have meaningful conversations about their experiences.
Review Playtime Reports
Use the weekly playtime reports to monitor how much time your child is spending on Fortnite. If you notice a significant increase in playtime, discuss it with your child and address any underlying issues, such as boredom, social isolation, or addiction.
Observe Communication
If your child is using voice chat or text chat, occasionally observe their interactions. This can help you identify any potential issues, such as exposure to inappropriate language or contact from strangers.
Setting Realistic Time Limits
Establish Clear Rules
Set clear and consistent rules about how much time your child can spend playing Fortnite. Consider factors such as their age, schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and overall well-being.
Enforce Time Limits
Use parental control features on the gaming platform to enforce the time limits you have set. Most consoles and mobile devices offer built-in tools for managing screen time.
Encourage Other Activities
Encourage your child to engage in a variety of activities, such as sports, hobbies, and spending time with friends and family. This helps prevent them from becoming overly focused on Fortnite and promotes a healthy balance in their life.
Utilizing Cabined Accounts
For children under 13 (or the age of digital consent in their region), Epic Games offers Cabined Accounts. These accounts have limited features until a parent or guardian grants permission. When an account is a Cabined Account:
- Voice chat is disabled.
- Free text chat is disabled.
- Purchases are disabled.
- The account can only play with approved friends.
As a parent, you can grant permissions for these features through the Epic Games website.
Understanding Game Modes
Fortnite offers different game modes, some of which are more suitable for younger children than others. Creative Mode allows players to build their own worlds and games, while Save the World is a cooperative mode where players work together to fight monsters. These modes can be a safer alternative to the competitive Battle Royale mode, which involves eliminating other players.
By understanding the game modes, parents can make educated decisions on what their children are exposed to. Limiting younger kids to Creative or Save the World modes allows them to enjoy Fortnite without the risks of interacting with other gamers.
Staying Informed
Fortnite is constantly evolving, with new updates, features, and challenges being introduced regularly. Stay informed about these changes by:
- Following Fortnite news and updates on the Epic Games website and social media channels.
- Reading reviews and ratings from trusted sources, such as Common Sense Media.
- Joining online communities and forums where parents discuss Fortnite and share tips for keeping their children safe.
Additional Resources
There are numerous online resources available to help parents understand Fortnite and navigate the challenges of online gaming. Consider exploring websites like GamesLearningSociety.org, which focuses on the educational and social aspects of gaming.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your child has a safe and positive experience playing Fortnite. Remember that open communication, proactive monitoring, and consistent enforcement of rules are essential for protecting your child in the digital world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What age is Fortnite appropriate for?
Common Sense Media recommends Fortnite for teens 13 and up due to its action violence and open chat features. However, you know your child best. Some “tweens” may be able to handle the game responsibly with appropriate supervision and guidance.
2. How do I enable voice chat controls in Fortnite?
You can manage voice chat settings within Fortnite’s Parental Controls. You can disable voice chat entirely or limit it to “Friends Only”.
3. How do I stop my child from making unauthorized purchases in Fortnite?
Within the Parental Controls, you can require your Parental Control PIN for all purchases of V-Bucks.
4. What is a Cabined Account in Fortnite?
Cabined Accounts are for players under 13 (or the age of digital consent in their region). These accounts have limited features until a parent or guardian grants permission for things like voice chat and purchases.
5. How do I know how much time my child is spending on Fortnite?
Enable Weekly Playtime Reports in the Parental Controls. You’ll receive an email each week summarizing your child’s playtime.
6. Is Fortnite addictive?
Fortnite, like many games, can be designed to be engaging and immersive, which can lead to excessive play. Setting time limits and encouraging other activities can help prevent potential issues.
7. My child’s Fortnite account was hacked. What do I do?
First, change the password immediately. Then, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Contact Epic Games support to report the incident.
8. What should I do if my child is being bullied in Fortnite?
Encourage your child to block and report the offending player. Discuss the situation with your child and provide support. You can also contact Epic Games support to report the bullying.
9. Can I monitor my child’s text chat in Fortnite?
Fortnite offers a mature language filter that can be enabled in the Parental Controls. You can also review your child’s chat history on their device, depending on the platform they are using.
10. Is the violence in Fortnite harmful to children?
The violence in Fortnite is cartoon-like and there’s no blood or gore. However, some parents may still be concerned about the impact of violence on their children. It’s important to consider your child’s individual maturity level and sensitivities.
11. How can I make sure my child is only playing with friends in Fortnite?
Set the communication options to “Friends Only” in the Parental Controls. This limits your child’s interactions to players on their friend list.
12. My child wants to buy V-Bucks. How much should I allow them to spend?
Set a spending limit that you are comfortable with. Consider your budget and your child’s understanding of money.
13. What are some alternative games to Fortnite that are more suitable for younger children?
Consider games like Minecraft, Animal Crossing, or Super Mario Odyssey, which are generally considered more child-friendly.
14. Where can I find more information about online safety for kids?
Organizations like Common Sense Media and ConnectSafely offer valuable resources and tips for parents.
15. How can gaming be beneficial for children?
Gaming can improve problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and teamwork. Games can also be used in educational settings to enhance learning. More information on how gaming and education can merge together is on the Games Learning Society website, which can be found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.