Fortnite
Our age is 13. Caution because of voice chat with strangers and V-Bucks spending.
Checked October 2026.
- Our rating
- Use Caution
- Chat
- Voice and text, set per account. Off for under-13s until a parent gives consent.
- Spending
- V-Bucks, bought in the game or with gift cards
- Parent controls
- Epic Parental Controls with a 6-digit PIN, in the game or on epicgames.com
- Plays on
- iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Cloud Gaming
- Players
- 650M+ registered accounts
- Setup
- 10 stops, about 12 minutes
Do these three first
- Create a parental PINPlayer iconMenuParental ControlsSet Up Parental ControlsConfirm your email and set a 6-digit PIN that locks the settings.
- Limit voice chat to friends or no oneParental ControlsEpic Voice Chat PermissionChoose who can talk with your child by voice.
- Require your PIN for purchasesParental ControlsRequire a PIN for Epic Games PaymentsGift cards make a simple fixed budget.
Why we say caution
Fortnite is a free-to-play battle royale game where 100 players compete to be the last one standing. It features cartoonish graphics, building mechanics, and constant updates with new content including licensed collaborations (Marvel, Star Wars, etc.). Beyond Battle Royale, it includes LEGO Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, concerts, and thousands of player-made islands, each with its own age rating.
- Voice Chat with StrangersSquad "Fill" matching adds random teammates who can use voice chat, including adults. Under-13 accounts have voice and text chat off until a parent gives consent, but only if a truthful birthday was entered.
- ViolenceWhile cartoonish, the core gameplay is shooting and eliminating other players.
- Spending PressureThe rotating item shop and "battle pass" system create urgency to spend money on cosmetics.
- Hard to Put DownDaily challenges, seasonal content, and limited-time items keep kids coming back.
- ToxicityCompetitive nature can lead to bullying, rage, and exposure to toxic behavior.
Talk about it
- Who do you usually play Fortnite with?Tells you whether they play with friends or strangers.
- Do you use voice chat? What kind of things do people say?Opens discussion about communication.
- How do you feel when you don't win or get eliminated early?Addresses emotional regulation.
- Is there anything in the item shop you've been wanting?Opens spending discussion without judgment.
The full route: 10 stops, about 12 minutes
- Open Parental Controls
- Create a parental PIN
- Turn on Time Reports
- Set a daily time limit
- Set who can text chat
- Limit voice chat to friends or no one
- Approve new friends
- Require your PIN for purchases
- Set a content rating
- Check your setup
Start the setupFree to follow. With Family, your progress is saved for each child.
The complete Fortnite parent guide, with age-by-age settings, is part of the Family plan.
The full guide
Fortnite is one of the most popular games among teens, combining battle royale gameplay with social features and frequent events. Epic Games provides solid parental controls that follow your child's account across every device.
Understanding Fortnite
Game Modes
- Battle Royale: 100 players, last one standing wins (free)
- Zero Build: Battle Royale without building
- LEGO Fortnite: Survival and building with LEGO (gentler)
- Fortnite Festival: Rhythm and music game
- Player-made islands: Thousands of games built by creators in Fortnite Creative and Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), each with its own age rating
Concerns for Parents
- Voice and text chat with people they don't know
- Spending on V-Bucks (in-game currency)
- Daily and weekly challenges that pull them back
- Mature themes in some player-made islands
- Time commitment for competitive play
Setting Up Parental Controls
Access Parental Controls
Open Parental Controls in Fortnite
Select the player icon at the top right, then the menu icon (three lines), then Parental Controls, then Set Up Parental Controls.
You can also sign in to your child's account on the Epic Account Portal at epicgames.com.
Confirm a parent email
Choose and confirm an email address you control. Epic sends parental emails there.
Create a PIN
Set a 6-digit PIN. You'll need it to change parental controls later.
Pick a PIN that's different from other PINs you use, not your child's birthday or 123456.
Choose your settings
Go through each setting below.
Communication Controls
Voice Chat
Options:
- Everybody: Can talk with everyone
- Friends, team members, & connections: Epic and platform friends, friends of friends, and everyone on their team
- Friends Only: Only Epic and platform friends
- Nobody: Voice chat off
Under 10, the most you can allow is Friends Only. Under 13, the most is Friends, team members, & connections. Voice reporting is always on for players under 18, so a report includes the last few minutes of audio.
Team voice chat puts kids in conversations with people they don't know, who may use rough language or be unkind.
Text Chat
The same four options as voice chat, with the same age limits. With Nobody, players can still send standard safe phrases like "Nice one!"
Filter Mature Language
Replaces profanity in text chat with heart symbols. It's always on for players under 13.
Chat with AI Characters
Controls whether your child can talk with AI-powered characters in Fortnite. Turn it off if you'd rather they didn't.
Content Restrictions
Set a Content Rating Limit
Every island in Fortnite has its own age rating. Choose the highest rating your child can play; your PIN is needed to unlock anything above it. For example, set Everyone 10+ and Teen islands (including Battle Royale) need your PIN.
Creative Mode and UEFN
Turn it off to stop your child building and publishing their own islands. While building, kids can see content that hasn't been reviewed or rated yet.
Cabined Accounts (Under 13)
If your child says they're under 13 (or their country's age of digital consent, if higher), Epic makes their account a "Cabined Account" and asks for a parent's email.
What's Off Until You Give Consent
- Voice chat and free text chat
- Real-money purchases (Fortnite gift cards still work)
- Custom display names
- Sign in with Epic and links to outside services
- SMS two-factor authentication
They can still play with everything they already own. To turn features on, finish setup from the email titled "Your Child Created an Epic Games Account," then choose your settings.
Parent Dashboard
Sign in to your child's account on the Epic Account Portal (epicgames.com, then Parental Controls) to:
- Change any setting
- See Time Reports
- Get an email when settings change
Spending Controls
V-Bucks and Real Money
V-Bucks are Fortnite's currency, used for:
- The seasonal Battle Pass
- Skins (outfits)
- Emotes (dances)
- Pickaxes and gliders
Cosmetics add up quickly. None of them give a competitive advantage.
Purchase Settings
This requires your PIN for real-money purchases through Epic's own payment system. It does not cover purchases on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo or other platform stores, and it does not stop spending V-Bucks the account already has.
Players under 13 also have a $100 daily limit on Epic payments; anything above it needs your PIN.
Allow Paid Random Items (where available) decides whether V-Bucks can be spent on items with random rewards.
Keep Spending in Check
- Turn on the PIN for Epic payments
- Use platform controls: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, iPhone and Android purchase approvals
- Don't save cards on the account
- Use gift cards for a fixed budget
Returns
Within 24 hours, an unused Item Shop purchase can be undone with Cancel Purchase. After that, Return Tickets cover eligible items bought in the last 30 days. Each account starts with 3, gets 1 new ticket every 365 days, and can hold up to 3. Passes and purchases inside player-made islands can't be returned.
Play Time Management
Time Limit Controls
Set a daily limit, choose time windows when play is allowed, and optionally set separate limits for playing and creating. Your child gets a heads-up 30 minutes before the limit. Limits follow the account across all devices.
Request for More Time lets your child ask for extra time; you get an email and can add time. You can also add time from inside Fortnite with your PIN.
Time Reports
Turn on Time Reports for a daily breakdown in the Account Portal, and Time Reports Email for a weekly summary.
Platform Time Limits
For coverage beyond Fortnite, also use:
- Xbox Family Settings
- PlayStation Family Management
- Nintendo Switch Parental Controls
- iOS Screen Time
- Google Family Link
Daily and Weekly Challenges
Fortnite uses challenges to encourage daily play. Let your child know missing a few is fine.
Epic Account Management
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Turn on 2FA to protect the account:
- Go to epicgames.com and sign in
- Open Account, then Password & Security
- Turn on authenticator app or email 2FA
This helps prevent account theft, which is common with Fortnite accounts.
Account Email
Use your email (not your child's) for the Epic account. This gives you:
- Password reset control
- Purchase receipts
- Security alerts
Platform-Specific Settings
Turning off voice chat in Fortnite doesn't turn off the console's own party chat, so check the platform too.
PlayStation
Combine Epic parental controls with PlayStation Family Management:
- Communication settings
- Spending limits
- Play time limits
Xbox
Microsoft family settings apply to Fortnite on Xbox:
- Communication set to Friends
- Purchase approvals
- Screen time limits
Nintendo Switch
Use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app alongside Epic's settings.
PC
Use Epic's parental controls plus Microsoft Family Safety on Windows.
Player-Made Islands
Creative and UEFN
Players can build and share their own islands. Some may contain:
- Inappropriate imagery
- Mature themes
- Disturbing content
Stay Safe
- Use the content rating limit
- Report inappropriate islands
- Ask your child to show you what they're playing
Quick Setup Checklist
Age-Based Recommendations
We suggest Fortnite for 13 and up. If your child already plays younger, these are the settings to tighten for their age.
Ages 10–12 (If Playing)
- Cabined account until you finish setup
- Voice and text chat off, or Friends Only
- PIN to add friends
- Content rating: Everyone 10+
- PIN for Epic payments
- Fill off, play with known friends
- Daily time limit
Ages 13–15
- Friends Only chat
- PIN to add friends, or check friend lists together
- PIN for payments
- Daily time limit
- Weekly Time Reports
- Regular check-ins
Ages 16–17
- Friends Only recommended
- Lighter restrictions
- Talk about responsible spending
- Open conversations about what happens online
Additional Resources
Fortnite is now set up with sensible controls. Check in regularly about what your child is playing and adjust as they grow.
Fortnite is also on our apps to watch list.
Social Features›
Require a PIN to Add Friends
When on, your PIN is needed each time your child sends or accepts an Epic friend request. It doesn't affect console friend lists (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo), so set those on the console too.
Turn Off Fill
In squad and duo modes, turn Fill off in the lobby so Fortnite doesn't add random teammates. Solo mode has no teammates at all.