Digital gamesIs Fortnite safe for children?

When children and young people are asked to name their favorite video games, one name cannot be missing: Fortnite. Since its release in 2017, the battle royale shooter has been one of the most successful video game titles - especially among children. Many parents are put off by the brutal game content and wonder whether Fortnite is suitable for their children. klicksafe provides the most important information at a glance.

How does Fortnite work?

Fortnite is available for all popular game consoles, for the PC and for smartphones and tablets. The game is divided into different game modes. The best known is the Battle Royale mode. In this mode, 100 players compete against each other on an island. They fight until there is only one person left at the end, who then wins the game.

In addition to the battle royal mode, there is also a game called "Save the World". In this cooperative game mode, players fight against hordes of zombies in a post-apocalyptic world. The aim is to complete various missions, collect resources and build bases.

Fortnite also offers a creative mode. In this, players can create their own islands. They can build and customize buildings, structures and environments according to their ideas. User-generated content can also be published and is then available to all Fortnite players. There is now an almost inexhaustible number of such games to try out.

Since 2023, the additional game modes Lego Fortnite, Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival have been added. Fortnite has thus expanded its range to include a Minecraft-like sandbox game, a racing game and a music rhythm game.

This list already makes it clear that Fortnite is not just an online game. Rather, many different games are now gathered under the Fortnite umbrella brand. Users can also design and publish their own worlds. In addition, there are always events, such as virtual concerts or film screenings, that invite users to visit the Fortnite platform. Fortnite also regularly consolidates its high profile among children and young people through advertising partnerships with other companies (e.g. Lego), media franchises (e.g. Star Wars) or musicians (e.g. Eminem).

Is Fortnite suitable for children?

  • Fortnite has been tested by the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) and approved for ages 12 and up.
  • Fortnite is available free of charge apart from the game mode "Save the World". However, the game contains many requests to spend money. For example, for a different look for the character (so-called skins) or additional weapons. To do this, the game's own currency, V-Bucks, must be purchased with real money.
  • Depending on the security settings, it is possible to be contacted by other players in Fortnite. This carries the risk of cybergrooming, insults and possible disclosure of personal information.
  • In Fortnite, players can create their own games in creative mode and make them available to the community. Before these games are accessible, they are given an age rating. So far, only games with an age rating no higher than 12 are permitted.
  • Children may find it difficult to stop playing, not least in battle royale mode. As there is no end to the game, it is tempting to keep playing another round. Fortnite's intense and competitive gameplay also keeps many players glued to the controller for longer than they would actually like.

Tip against cost traps

Sparkasse's in-game calculator makes it easier to estimate prices in games such as Fortnite. Simply enter the amount in the Fortnite currency V-Bucks and the actual price is displayed in euros.

How to use Fortnite safely?

  • Technical settings for new accounts: When parents set up Fortnite with their child, they can set up the child's child's account with a parental control parental controls. These parental controls allow them to specify which security settings should apply to their child. For example, they can prevent strangers from writing to their child or the child from spending money without permission. Important: The Fortnite game is always started via the Epic Games Launcher. Many other games are also available in this Epic Games Launcher. Parents should therefore also activate parental controls in the Epic Games Launcher. You can find step-by-step instructions on how to do this at www.medien-kindersicher.de.
  • Technical settings for existing accounts: There are certainly children who have already created a Fortnite account without their parents knowing about it. As with many other services, it is also possible to enter a false date of birth when registering with Fortnite in order to circumvent the parental control measures. If parents find themselves in this situation, they have two options: Either they create a new account together with the child with an active parental control (as described above). Or they can set up the existing account together as securely as possible (see image 4 above). Parents should bear in mind that their child may have already invested a lot of time and money in their game character. Deactivating the account means losing all of this. However, if the old account is retained, it must also be borne in mind that the child can undo any security settings independently. Parents should therefore only choose this option if they trust their child to stick to the agreed rules conscientiously.
  • Safety through rules of conduct: The technical settings are important. But even the best technical protection only works if rules of conduct are agreed at the same time. This includes, for example, not sharing private details with strangers on the internet. Insults, cyberbullying and inappropriate behavior by other players should be reported to the reported to the platform. Parents should show their children how to do this or offer help if the child needs to report something. Parents should also familiarize themselves and their child with the Fortnite code of conduct so that the child knows the rules on the platform. Children should also know that they need to be careful about gifts or offers that promise something for free. These may be scams or offers from people who want to initiate sexual contact with children (known as cybergrooming).
  • Agreements on appropriate playtime: Differing ideas about how long playtime should be lead to arguments in many families. It is important that families establish binding rules together at an early stage. The media usage contract can help. Media vouchers can also media vouchers can also be a good be a good method. They allow children to manage their own available media time.
  • Get to know Fortnite and stay in touch: Ideally, parents should try out their children's favorite games themselves. Parents who don't feel confident enough to do this can also have their children show them Fortnite. This gives parents a better idea of what their children are doing in the game and what they encounter there. To play digital games safely, it is not enough to set the security settings once and agree on rules. It is important for parents to constantly communicate with their children about their online experiences. Helpful tips on how you can encourage this exchange, we have compiled for you here.

jugendschutz.net report "How safe is Fortnite?"

In the report "How safe is Fortnite?", jugendschutz.net examined which precautionary measures have been taken by the manufacturer and how well they work. Despite good approaches, jugendschutz.net still sees room for improvement on the platform. According to the report, the reporting system is far too complicated and infringements are not consistently removed from the platform. Furthermore, there is no reliable age check.