Fortnite, an online video game platform, has become one of the most popular among kids and teens, so parents should get familiar with it as well.

The most popular game is a multiplayer shooting game called Fortnite: Battle Royal. In 2024, it was the top battle royale game on Twitch and YouTube, with over 13.3 million weekly viewer hours. Fortnite is wildly popular because it combines features of survival, building, and combat games.

In our online classroom, we use Fortnite as a teaching tool. Kids can use the creator mode to build their own games while learning foundational game design and development concepts. One of our top priorities while kids are in Fortnite is keeping them safe. 

Here are our best tips for parents to keep their kids safe in Fortnite.

The Importance of Parental Controls in Fortnite

Parental controls are a way to make sure your child is safe while they are having fun in Fortnite. The biggest safety concerns are the multiplayer features and the interactions with strangers.

While Fortnite does have some moderations in place, live, unmoderated chats are possible, putting kids at risk.

Fortnite’s graphics style makes it less gory than games like Call of Duty. But it includes violence, like shooting and killing, so the content may not be appropriate for younger kids. The parental controls give you the power to manage communication features like voice and text chat, restrict access to mature content, manage screen time, and limit in-game purchases.

The Fortnite platform has many different games, some of which are more appropriate for kids. For example Fortnite: Party Royale does not include any shooting or killing. It’s a space for kids to chat and hang out, enjoy entertainment, and compete with friends. You should review the individual game your child is playing and ensure it’s appropriate for them. 

Safety Concerns for Kids in Fortnite

Fortnite is rated T for Teen by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board). This signifies that the content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. 

The game may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language. For this reason, it’s not recommended for kids under the age of 13. 

Some of the main safety concerns parents should be aware of include:

• Player communications
• Inappropriate content
• Privacy
• In-game purchases
• Excessive screen time

Player Communications

One of the primary concerns is interacting with other players, especially strangers. Most games in Fortnite are multiplayer and require some level of cooperation. In the game, players often communicate with one another through voice and text chat. Fortnite users can also communicate outside the game with anyone who contacts them. 

Look out for: 

While most of these interactions are not problematic, you want to monitor for behaviors like cyberbullying and inappropriate content or language. In rare cases, there is the risk of online predators attempting to communicate with children in Fortnite. 

How to address it:

Use Parental Controls to disable or limit chat features, there are ways to limit the chat functionality to only your party or friends. You can also encourage your child to play only with friends they know in real life and be aware of who they are adding as friends. Discuss the importance of reporting abusive players and take steps to report them in game.

Inappropriate Content 

Generally, Epic Games does not allow any content higher than a Teen rating in Fortnite so the content is pretty kid-friendly. However, Fortnite’s gameplay and themes may not always align with what parents consider appropriate. Some content may not be appropriate for all ages, but the content is updated in every season, so take steps to regularly review it.

Look out for: 

The game involves shooting and eliminating players, so there is mild violence that may not be suitable for all children. Custom maps or community creations in Creative Mode may include inappropriate themes or images. Player interactions can also expose kids to mature language or topics.

How to address it:

Use Fortnite’s Parental Controls to set age-appropriate restrictions. Enable the Mature Language Filter in the parental control settings for inappropriate language. Supervise gameplay and review Creative Mode maps before your child plays them. Generally, encourage your child to play with friends on maps you have approved. 

Privacy

It’s crucial for kids to protect their identities online and limit the exposure of personal information. With Fortnite’s chat features, kids may inadvertently give away private information even if they don’t mean to. Malicious people and predators can take advantage of this to collect sensitive information.

Look out for: 

Messages that contain or reference personal details such as real names, school names, addresses, phone numbers, or other identifying information. Any direct messages with strangers and new friends and check for suspicious questions about personal or account information. Do not post identifying information like real-life photos or social media handles. 

How to address it:

Educate your child about the importance of keeping personal information private. Review your child’s privacy settings and ensure features like friend requests are restricted. Hide their username and others by making them anonymous. Discuss ground rules with your child and teach them what constitutes personal information and how to keep it safe. Encourage them to play with close friends and family to ensure safe interactions.

In-Game Purchases

Fortnite is free to play, but offers in-game purchases like skins, emotes, and battle passes. There are new items for purchase daily in the item shop. This could become a financial concern if children are not monitored or spend excessively. 

Look out for: 

More frequent purchases or excessive amounts of money spent, including unexpected charges on your payment option. Unintentional purchases as kids may be making purchases without realizing it. Exceeding spending limits you set and changes in behavior like secrecy or anxiety around showing you their account or character.

How to address it:

Parents can disable or require approval for purchases through parental controls. Instead of linking credit cards, limit your child’s spending by using prepaid gift cards. Discuss the value of money with your child and set a budget for in-game purchases.

Excessive Screen Time

Fortnite is a fun and engaging game and there is no end to it. Kids can continue to play every season and spend hours playing with friends. This is fun for kids, but it can lead to excessive screen time, disrupting sleep schedules, homework, or other activities.

Look out for: 

Kids spending too much time in Fortnite and prioritizing Fortnite over homework, chores, or social activities. 

The game’s competitive nature and rewards system can lead to compulsive playing habits. Staying up late at night to play and experiencing fatigue during the day. Losing track of time, spending hours in the game without realizing how much time has passed. 

How to address it:

Set boundaries for game time. It’s often difficult for kids to stop playing and that’s how games are built. You should establish clear boundaries for playtime using the parental control features provided by the platform. Ensure that your child has a balanced schedule with time for other activities, such as outdoor play, homework, or family time.

How to Setup Fortnite Parental Controls

To setup parental controls, you first need to add a parental controls pin.

Add a Parental Controls Pin

1. Login to your child’s Epic Games account at https://www.epicgames.com/
2. Select the Player Icon (circle in with an image of your character) in the upper right corner
3. Select Account 

4. Select Parental Controls

5. Choose 6-digit Parental Controls PIN

This PIN will be required to change parental controls in the future, so make sure to set a PIN that is different from other PINs that you use and is easy for you to remember.

You’re all set! You will now see options to select your parental control preferences. To use the following settings, you will need to have a parental control pin setup.

Manage In-Game Spending

Require a PIN for Purchases

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Go to the General tab 

4. Scroll to Epic Games Payment and toggle the button for “Always require a PIN for purchases using Epic Games payment service”.
   • On: Your PIN will be required to complete any purchase on Epic Games.
   • Off: Your child will be able to complete payments without a PIN.

Set Time Limit controls

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Click the Time Limits tab

4. For each game, set the time limit separately. Click Set Time Limits next to the Fortnite game. Here you can limit gameplay time, choose time windows, and allow kids to request more time.

Limit the total amount of time your child can play

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Click the Time Limits tab

4. Click Set Time Limits

5. Under Schedule toggle on Set Custom Daily schedules

6. Click Edit 

7. Under Time Limit add the number of hours and minutes your child is allowed to play

8. Click Save

Choose specific time windows when your child can play

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Click the Time Limits tab

4. Under Schedule toggle on Set Custom Daily schedules

5. Click Edit 

6. Under Time window add one or more time windows 

7. Click Save

Allow your child to request more time

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Click the Time Limits tab

4. Scroll down to check off Allow requests for more time via email

Time Reports for Fortnite

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Click the Time Reports tab

4. Select On or Off

Text and Voice Chat Settings

Toggle off mature language

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Go to Fortnite Settings tab

4. Scroll down to Mature Language
5. Toggle the button for Filter out mature language in Epic text chat
   • On: Mature language in text chat will be filtered and replaced with heart symbols.
   • Off: Text chat won’t be filtered for mature language.

Require a PIN to add friends

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Go to Social Permissions tab

4. Scroll down to Epic Friends Permission
5. Toggle the button for Require PIN to add Epic friends
   • On: You will need to enter your PIN everytime your child tries to send or accept an Epic Games friend request.
   • Off: Your child can send or accept friend requests without a pin.

Allow or Block Voice Chat

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Go to Social Permissions tab

4. Scroll down to Epic Voice Chat Permission
5. Select who your child can voice chat with
   • Everybody – allow voice chat with any players.
   • Friends & Teammates – allow voice chat with friends on their Epic friends list and people on their team who may not be on their friends list.
   • Friends Only – allow voice chat with friends on their Epic friends list, other people in the party will not hear them.
   • Nobody – block voice chat for all players.

Allow or Block Text Chat

1. Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
2. Enter your 6-digit pin
3. Go to Social Permissions tab

4. Scroll down to Epic Text Chat Permission
5. Select who your child can voice chat with
   • Everybody – allow text chat with any players.
   • Friends & Teammates – allow text chat with friends on their Epic friends list and people on their team who may not be on their friends list.
   • Friends Only – allow text chat with friends on their Epic friends list, other people in the party will not see their texts.
   • Nobody – block text chat for all players.

Manage Content Ratings

• Select Parental Controls in your child’s Epic Games account
• Enter your 6-digit pin
• Go to Fortnite Settings tab

• Scroll down to Fortnite Content Rating
• Choose an option for Require PIN to access experiences in Fortnite rated above:
  • Everyone
  • Everyone 10+ 
  • Teen

Report Users In-Game

If your child experiences any issues with other players during the game, there is a way to report bad player behavior in-game or from voice chat.

1. In the game, click the Menu icon.

2. Click the 3 lines hamburger icon.

3. Select REPORTING.

4. Click REPORT A BUG, PLAYER, OR ISLAND

5. Select Report Player.

6. Select the player’s name you wish to report.

7. Select the reason you want to report the player.

8. Click ACCEPT to send the report

Cabined Accounts

Cabined accounts are meant to provide a safer experience for younger kids from the start. All players that indicated they are under 13 years of age will have a cabined account. This means they will be asked to provide a parent or guardian’s email address in order to receive consent to access certain features in Epic’s products. Certain features are also automatically disabled in Cabined accounts. You can’t un-cabin an account, but you can set the parental control to allow certain features or experience ratings.

Learn more about cabined accounts.

How to turn off Fortnite parental controls

To turn off parental controls from an Epic Games account, you can:

1. Sign in to the Epic Account Portal at https://www.epicgames.com/
2. Select Account

3. Click Parental Controls from the left-hand menu

4. Enter your six-digit PIN
5. Choose the desired on/off state for each setting 

Tips for Monitoring Your Child’s Gameplay

These are actionable ways to monitor your child’s gameplay and address concerns about communication, content, privacy, and screen time.

Setup Fortnite Parental Controls

Start by setting up the built-in Parental Controls in Epic Games. These settings allow you to customize your child’s experience and minimize exposure to inappropriate content or interactions. There are options to restrict chat, set time limits, content, and friends.

Review Game Content Regularly

The game content changes often in Fortnite, so stay up to date with what your child is playing by reviewing the game content. New items are added in the store daily and updates, like new weapons and customizations, are made to the game weekly. Seasons change about every two months. Periodically you should also review maps in Creative Mode, as some user-created content may not be age-appropriate. Once completed, watch replays of their games to identify potential concerns, such as interactions with strangers.

Set Up Device-Level Parental Controls

Most parental controls are set in the Epic Account Portal, but your device may have additional settings. On the individual device, you can go to the Parental Controls section of Fortnite’s menu. Use these built-in settings to limit playtime, disable purchases, and control online interactions.

They are a great start, but combining them with regular discussions about online safety and device-level controls provides the best protection for kids. 

Learn to Code in Fortnite

If your child enjoys playing Fortnite, try exploring their passion for games in our Fortnite summer camp. Developers and game designers are the ones behind Fortnite. One day your child could be building games like Fortnite too. 

In our 1-week Fortnite camp, students craft their own unique gaming experience, complete with a personalized map, enemy, characters, and game objectives using Unreal Engine. They’ll also leave with the skills to independently create more Fortnite games in the future. Live, online camps are available for kids ages 11-18. 

Enroll in our top-rated Fortnite summer camps.

The post Fortnite Parental Controls: What Every Parent Should Know appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

There are few games around with as large of a following as Fortnite. In part, that’s because it does an excellent job of creating a space where kids can hang out with their friends, and in part, it’s because Fortnite does a great job of creating varied content to keep things fresh. 

But mostly it’s just because Fortnite is a whole lot of fun, as the best games always are!

That “fun factor” also means that buying Fortnite gifts is a great choice for parents who have kids who love the game!  

23 Fortnite Gifts for Kids that Boys and Girls Will Love

Of course, there are tons of great Fortnite gifts for kids out there, so it can be difficult to know just what to get your Fortnite fan. 

No worries! We’ve got you covered with this list of great Fortnite gifts for boys or girls of all ages. Check them out below.

1. Fortnite Battle Bus Deluxe

Ages: 8+

Every Fortnite battle starts off on the Battle Bus, so it seems like this Deluxe Battle Bus is the perfect start to any Fortnite fan’s toy collection! It’s a 14-inch replica of the game’s Battle Bus and comes with 2 different Fortnite action figures and room for 8 more to hop on board.

Buy Now

2. Fortnite Micro Legendary Series Squad Mode

Ages: 8+

Of course, once you have the bus, you’re also going to want some action figures to fill it up! 

This is a 4-pack of Fortnite figurines complete with their own gathering tools and ready to squad up for an exciting Battle Royale match. These 4-inch figures are the correct size to fit in the Battle Bus above, but there are other sizes of action figures if you prefer. 

Buy Now

3. Fortnite – Bombs Away! Glider

Ages: 8+

This motorized glider rolls around the room at random, taking its rider with it. It comes with a Fortnite action figure of its own but is compatible with any of the 4-inch figures. They can’t control the glider’s direction, but it will change direction on its own if it detects an obstacle, which is pretty cool!

Buy Now

4. Fortnite Baller Radio-Controlled Vehicle

Ages: 8+

If you’re looking for a vehicle with a little more control, check out this RC Baller, complete with space for your favorite 4-inch Fortnite figure. Once again, it comes with its own action figure, in case you don’t already have a favorite, but the vehicle itself is definitely the highlight here. 

Buy Now 

5. Fortnite Agent’s Room: Agent Peely

Ages: 8+

All that’s left to get to be able to recreate your favorite Fortnite moments is a stage where your kids can have their battle. Luckily, Agent Peely has their back. 

The Fortnite Agent’s Room playset not only provides a place to battle but also comes with weapons and accessories, plus two more figures to round out their Fortnite character roster.  

Buy Now

6. Fortnite 7″ Llama Loot Plush

Ages: 6+

If you’d rather give your Fortnite fan something to squeeze instead of an action figure, this 7-inch tall Loot Llama is perfectly plush and ready for action. It doesn’t actually come with any loot, but since it’s so soft, that’s definitely forgivable. 

Buy Now

7. Funko Pop Fortnite Collectibles

Ages: 8+

Funko Pops are extremely collectible with figures from every pop culture phenomenon you can think of, including Fortnite. These are great Fortnite gifts for boys and girls who want to show off their love for Fortnite with cool collectibles, but don’t necessarily want action figures to play with. 

Buy Now 

8. Fortnite Victory Royale Series Fade Mask Collectible

Ages: 8+

The Fade skin was a legendary skin from Fortnite a few seasons ago, but it remains a popular one. This collectible mask is a perfect Fortnite gift for kids who want to bring an awesome-looking mask into the real world! Whether for cosplay or just as a collectible, this is a great addition to any Fortnite collection.

Buy Now

9. Fortnite Trading Cards 

Ages: 8+

Collectible cards have been popular for pretty much forever, and so obviously popular games like Fortnite would get their own version. These trading cards include a variety of Fortnite characters and tools to collect and trade with friends, though which ones you get depends entirely on your luck. 

Buy Now

10. Magic the Gathering: Fortnite Secret Lair Cards

Ages: 13+

Of course, not all cards are solely for collecting. If your Fortnite fan is also a fan of the Magic the Gathering card game, these are the cards you’re looking for!

The Secret Lair Cards are part of a limited run of cards put out by Wizards of the Coast that lets Magic players put locations and spells from Fortnite into their deck. This is super cool, and will be an amazing gift for Fortnite fans!

Buy Now 

11. Fortnite Monopoly

Ages: 8+

Not a Magic the Gathering fan but still want some Fortnite goodness in boardgame form? Not to worry, Hasbro has your back!

Monopoly is well-known for having a variety of amazing themes, and the Fortnite version brings everyone’s favorite Battle Royale to its board. 

Buy Now

12. Nerf Super Soaker Fortnite HG Water Blaster

Ages: 8+

Super Soakers are some of the best water guns out there, making this collaboration between them and Fortnite an easy win. There are actually several different Fortnite water guns put out by Super Soakers, so if you’re looking for a great Fortnite-themed pool activity, grab a few as a gift that is sure to please. 

Buy Now

13. NERF Fortnite Heavy SR Blaster

Ages: 8+

If you’d prefer not to get wet, NERF has several Fortnite dart blasters as well. The Heavy SR blaster is my personal favorite since it’s a huge NERF gun and includes a clip capable of firing off 6 darts. These are a ton of fun, and let kids take their Fortnite fandom outside for a while. 

There’s also this 2-pack of blasters, if you’re looking to start your own Battle Royale right away!

Buy Now

14. Fortnite Baseball Cap

Ages: All ages

Ball caps are functional, fashionable, and, at least with these, a great way to show off a love for Fortnite. These particular hats are sized for kids and come in a variety of great Fortnite-themed designs. 

Buy Now

15. Fortnite T-Shirt

Ages: All ages

Graphic t-shirts are another surefire way to show off your Fortnite fan’s love of the game. There are several different designs floating around on Amazon, but I particularly liked this Fortnite Totem design featuring several fan-favorite characters. No matter what their sense of style, there’s sure to be a design that fits!

Buy Now

16. Fortnite Hooded Sweatshirt

Ages: All ages

This Fortnite Hooded Sweatshirt is a perfect choice for the gamer that likes to stay toasty while showing off a love of Fortnite. It’s made from thick, cotton material and features a warm hood and a spacious front pocket for keeping hands warm making it a particularly good gift during the cold, winter months. 

Buy Now

17. Fortnite Graphic Wallet

Ages: All ages

If you’re looking for a practical Fortnite gift for kids that they could still get behind, be sure to consider these graphic wallets. They’re a great choice for kids who are learning the importance of money, yet remain tons of fun with Fortnite patterns printed over the outside.  

Buy Now

18. 3D Fortnite Battlebus Game Room Light

Ages: All ages

Gaming in a dark room can put a strain on the eyes, so, in a way, you could say that getting this light is an investment in your gamer’s health. Though, really, it’s just an amazingly cool holographic display that would look right at home in any gamer’s den.  

Buy Now

19. Fortnite Official Loot Pack

Ages: 8+

The Official Loot Pack includes stickers, patches, pins, and magnets of different Fortnite symbols and icons, which makes it a fun choice for kids looking to decorate their stuff. It’s not a lot of loot, but it makes a fun little gift for fans of the game.

Buy Now

20. Official Fortnite: The Chronicle 2023 Annual

Ages: 10+

The Annual Chronicle is a yearly book put out by Epic Games that compiles all the best moments from that year’s gameplay and sticks it in a book where fans can reminisce about the fun they had. This year’s book comes out in mid-December, and promises to be filled to the brim with some awesome Fortnite moments. 

Buy Now

21. Razer Kishi Controller for Fortnite on the go

Ages: 8+

This is probably the priciest gift on this list, but its sure to be a hit for any Fortnite Fan who wants to take their game on the go. The Kishi controller adds physical buttons to an Android or iOS phone so kids can play Fortnite, or other mobile-friendly games, right on their phone. 

Buy Now

22. Fortnite Legends Packs

Ages: Rated Teen

Fortnite Legends Packs are essentially collections containing Fortnite skins and cosmetic goods that can be redeemed in-game. Different packs have different skins, so you need to make sure the specific pack you get is something they’ll actually want, but this is the only way to get some in-game items, so there’s a good chance they have their eye on at least one of them.

Buy Now

23. Fortnite V-bucks

Ages: Rated Teen

Or, you could just buy them some V-bucks and let them pick their own cosmetic items from the in-game store! Despite the fact that cosmetic items don’t change anything about the gameplay, they are still highly desirable items for many players since it gives them ways to set themselves apart from the competition. If your kid loves Fortnite, they almost certainly would love to get some V-bucks.

Buy Now

Tips for choosing the best Fortnite gifts for kids 

Choosing the best possible gift for your Fortnite-loving boy or girl is about a lot more than picking the first Fortnite-themed item you see. 

A large part of the appeal of Fortnite comes from the ability to customize your character with skins that show the other players a little about your personality and preferences. Similarly, it’s super important to keep your kids’ preferences in mind as you flip through these Fortnite gifts. 

Younger kids might really like the action figures I suggested at the beginning of the list, while older kids might not. Similarly, books like the 2023 Chronicle might not appeal as much to younger kids as it does to older ones who like to look back and reminisce on the year. 

That doesn’t necessarily hold true for every kid, though. Some kids love flipping through books and I definitely know adults who enjoy collecting action figures. Ultimately, it comes down to knowing who you’re shopping for. 

It’s also important to make sure you get gifts for the right platform, as well, if you’re getting virtual gifts. Once they’ve been redeemed, virtual gifts will work cross-platform, but buying a redemption code for the Playstation version of the game if your kid is playing on an Xbox will make things a lot harder than it needs to be.

Ultimately, the best Fortnite gifts for your kids will be something that they find fun, that fits within your budget, and that will serve them well over a period of weeks or years, instead of just days. 

The post Top Fortnite Gifts for Boys and Girls appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.