Is Fortnite Verifying Age? What Parents and Players Need to Know

Yes, Fortnite is actively verifying the age of its players. This isn’t just a random check; it’s a crucial step taken by Epic Games to ensure compliance with data privacy laws and to provide a safer, more tailored gaming experience for everyone. The process involves asking players for their birth dates and, if a player indicates they are a minor, requiring parental consent for full access to the game’s features. Let’s delve deeper into why this is happening, how it works, and what it means for players and parents.

Why is Age Verification Necessary?

The primary reason for Fortnite’s age verification process is to comply with global data privacy regulations, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. These laws mandate that companies obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children.

Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, uses a variety of in-game features that collect and use player data, including chat functions, friend lists, and access to the Epic Games Store. To adhere to these regulations, Epic Games has implemented a system to determine if a player is a minor, requiring parental consent if the user’s stated age falls below the age of digital consent in their respective country. This age is often 13, but it can vary based on regional laws.

Partnering with SuperAwesome

To streamline this process, Epic Games has partnered with SuperAwesome, a company specializing in parental consent and age verification. SuperAwesome provides the technological infrastructure and multiple verification methods necessary to ensure that the process is secure and compliant. This partnership allows Epic Games to efficiently verify parental consent across a global player base while maintaining a user-friendly experience.

How Does Fortnite Verify Age?

When a player begins a Fortnite game, they are now required to enter their birth date. This initial step triggers the age verification system. If a player indicates that they are under the age of digital consent in their region, their account becomes a “cabined account” with limited access.

This cabined account will have restricted access to features like voice chat, making purchases and friend lists. To unlock the full experience, a parent or guardian must provide verifiable consent. There are multiple ways in which this consent can be given depending on the country and region. The specific methods include:

• Face Scan: This uses facial recognition technology to match an adult’s ID to a live scan.
• Credit or Debit Card: A small, temporary charge on a credit or debit card verifies the adult’s identity.
• ID Scan: This involves scanning an official identification document, such as a driver’s license or passport.

Once the parent’s identity has been verified, permission will be granted and the child’s account will be upgraded to a fully functional account, much like any other.

Cabined Accounts and Limited Functionality

It’s vital to understand the concept of “cabined accounts.” These accounts are specifically designed for players who have not yet received parental verification. These accounts have severely restricted access to various game features. These limitations are in place to protect minors and prevent data collection without parental permission. The account will not have access to voice chat and other communication features, meaning the player will not be able to communicate with others on the platform.

It’s worth emphasizing that these limitations are temporary, and full access is granted once parental verification has been completed. The goal of cabined accounts isn’t to punish players, but to ensure a safe online environment for younger players.

What if I Don’t Verify My Account?

Players who fail to verify their accounts after being flagged as under the age of digital consent will face limitations to their account functionality. Epic Games has warned that if players don’t verify their accounts after 30 days, they could face permanent deletion of the account. This is to comply with data privacy laws, as Epic Games does not want to retain personal information of younger users without consent.

Fortnite’s Age Rating and Common Sense Recommendations

It is important to remember that Fortnite is rated “T” for Teen by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), indicating it’s generally suitable for players aged 13 and up. Common Sense Media also recommends the game for those 13 and older, citing the open chat features and action violence as concerns for younger players. While age recommendations are helpful guidelines, every child is different, and parents should consider their child’s maturity level before allowing them to play.

Parental Controls for a Safer Experience

Even with age verification and parental consent, it is highly recommended that parents make use of Fortnite’s robust parental control features. These controls allow parents to manage various aspects of their child’s gameplay, including:

• Voice chat: Parents can restrict voice chat to friends, teammates, or disable it completely.
• Purchase permissions: Controls can limit in-game purchases, preventing accidental or unwanted spending.
• Social features: Parents can control who their child can interact with on the platform.

Parental controls can be accessed through the Epic Account Portal or the Fortnite Parental Controls menu. A six-digit PIN is required to make changes to settings, ensuring that only parents can modify them. This level of control empowers parents to create a safer and more suitable gaming environment for their children.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions regarding Fortnite’s age verification process:

1. Is Fortnite currently age-restricted?

Yes, Fortnite does have age restrictions, primarily applying to the features available to users under the age of digital consent in their region. This results in limited “cabined accounts” until parental consent is given.

2. Why is Fortnite asking for my age?

Fortnite is asking for your age to ensure compliance with data privacy laws. This allows Epic Games to apply the right settings to ensure the best experience for all players.

3. How do I verify a child’s account on Fortnite?

To verify a child’s account, you’ll need to provide parental consent through methods such as face scan, credit or debit card verification, or ID scan. These options are provided by SuperAwesome, Epic’s verification partner.

4. Is Fortnite parental verification legit?

Yes, Fortnite parental verification is a legitimate and necessary process to ensure the safety of younger players and compliance with privacy laws.

5. Why is Fortnite asking for parental controls?

Fortnite requests parental controls because some in-game features collect personal information, and in many countries, access to these features by a child requires parental consent.

6. What happens if I don’t verify my Fortnite account?

If you don’t verify your Fortnite account when prompted to, your account will become a cabined account, and you will have limited access to features. After 30 days of not verifying, your account could be deleted.

7. Can I turn off age restrictions on Fortnite?

Yes, you can manage and modify parental control settings through the Epic Account Portal or the Fortnite Parental Controls menu. This allows you to change the settings on the level of access your child has.

8. Is Fortnite okay for my 7-year-old?

While Fortnite is rated “T” for Teen (13+), and recommendations are for ages 13 and up, parental judgment is essential. Consider your child’s maturity level, and utilize parental controls to manage their experience.

9. Is Fortnite banning kids under 13?

Fortnite isn’t banning kids under 13, but it does require parental consent for those players to enjoy the full feature set of the game. Without consent, their account will be a cabined account.

10. How does Epic Games know my child’s age?

Epic Games requires players to enter their date of birth. If a player indicates they are a minor, the age verification process, which is handled by SuperAwesome, begins.

11. Why isn’t Fortnite letting me enter my birthday?

If you are having trouble entering your birthday, Epic Games suggests using your console’s controller. For example, pressing “X” on Xbox, “Square” on PlayStation, and “Y” on Nintendo Switch will confirm the DOB.

12. Why does Fall Guys ask for your age?

Similar to Fortnite, Fall Guys asks for your age to ensure compliance with laws requiring verifiable parental consent before collecting a child’s personal information.

13. Why can’t my kid talk on Fortnite?

If your child can’t talk on Fortnite, check your parental control settings. Ensure that voice chat is not set to “Nobody”.

14. What is a cabined account?

A cabined account is a limited Fortnite account for players under the age of digital consent who have not yet received parental verification.

15. How long do you have to verify your Fortnite account?

You have 30 days to verify your account when prompted. If you fail to do so within this timeframe, your account may be subject to deletion.

Conclusion

Fortnite’s age verification process is an essential step to ensure a safe and compliant gaming environment for all players, particularly children. Understanding the reasons behind this verification, how it works, and the available parental controls is crucial for both parents and players. By taking the necessary steps, you can help create a secure and enjoyable experience for everyone on the platform.