Online Safety – 25/09/24 – Fortnite

As many of you may be aware, Fortnite continues to be extremely popular among primary-aged children. However, it is crucial for parents to be aware of the associated risks. As of November 2023, Fortnite holds a PEGI rating of 12, indicating that the content is deemed suitable for children aged 12 and above. It is essential to recognise that the PEGI rating solely reflects the game’s content and does not guarantee that conversations with other players will adhere to a PEGI 12 standard.

Fortnite encompasses several different versions, with Battle Royale being the most widely played. In this mode, up to 100 players can join a match, where they are dropped onto a game map and must compete to be the last one standing by eliminating their opponents. The gameplay involves collecting weapons, constructing safe structures, and evading a harmful Storm that damages players outside a designated safe zone. Players also have the option to engage in a no-build version, which concentrates solely on shooting without the added complexity of construction. While the Save the World version features zombies to combat, the Battle Royale mode presents a less frightening alternative.

With all of this in mind, it is possible that children can play Fortnite without encountering anything harmful. However for this to be the case, it is crucial that parents continually monitor and have conversations about their children’s activity on Fortnite.