A parent's guide to Fortnite

 Need to know more about Fortnite – the latest gaming craze? Games expert Andy Robertson gives a detailed outline of the game and offers great tips for parents to keep children safe while playing

Fortnite is the latest game teenagers are flocking to. It’s the talk of the playground.

It offers a knife-edge gun battle that requires practice, skill, teamwork and fast reactions. The challenge for parents is to mitigate risks and maximise benefits from Fortnite. Screen time, stranger chat, rage at losing and escalating costs can seem insurmountable but with the right advice, this is a game that parents can make healthy and valuable for their children.

What is the age rating for Fortnite?

In the guide, I provide a visual summation of the ratings information for Fortnite. In the UK the Video Standards council rate Fortnite as PEGI 12 for frequent scenes of mild violence. In the US the ESRB rate Fortnite as Teen only suitable for those 13 years and older. iTunes rates the game only suitable for children 12+ for frequent/intense cartoon or fantasy violence and infrequent/mild medical/treatment Information. Parents know their children better than any rating body and can use this information to make an informed decision.

Monitoring who they are talking to

Along with suitability, it’s worth checking the online communication settings on the game to ensure children aren’t talking to strangers.

Managing in-app purchase on the game

The game has considerable in-app purchases that you need to be aware of as well, and set up passwords on credit cards associated with the system.

Setting time limits on Fortnite

Finally, it’s important to have some limits in terms of play time for the game. This is something you can agree with your child once you understand how the game works.

Ultimately, families will get the most out of the game where parents join in and turn it from something played in bedrooms to a game for the family room that everyone enjoys.

KCOM is an official supporter of online safety organisation Internet Matters as part of its drive to help local parents keep their children safe in the digital world.

Internet Matters is backed by the UK’s biggest broadband providers and supported by leading online child safety experts.

Its website offers a host of e-safety resources and advice for parents on issues including online bullying and making sure children don’t have access to inappropriate content.

Advice is organised into useful guides aimed at different age groups, ranging from the under-fives to teenagers.

Parents and schools are able to download these resources for free from the website www.internetmatters.org