Should They Play?The parents' guide to apps and games

How we decided on Fortnite

Yes, if voice and text chat are switched off. From 13, if you switch off voice chat, text chat and friend requests, protected by your PIN.

No, if chat is on. Regulators are questioning how well Fortnite protects children from strangers, and that isn't resolved.

Last checked .

Safety checks: chat off

Fortnite (chat off) passes all 7 safety checks. We apply the same strict rules to every app and game.

How it's locked: Voice chat, text chat and friend requests are set in Epic’s parental controls, which are locked with a PIN only the parent knows. Rule 9Source

  1. Could we confirm every fact?

    Yes

    Every fact below links to its source. Rule 1

  2. Is your child old enough for the official ratings?

    Yes

    Rated 13+ by ESRB (US), Apple App Store and Common Sense Media. Our minimum age is 13. Rule 2

  3. Can you stop strangers contacting your child?

    Yes

    Parents can set voice and text chat to Nobody and require a parental PIN for every friend request. Rule 3Source

  4. Is every risk under control once settings are on?

    Yes

    No risk stays high once every control is on. Rule 4

  5. Is its child-safety record clear?

    Not needed

    The open regulator concerns are about contact with other players. With chat and friend requests locked off, other players can only send a fixed list of in-game phrases. Rule 5Source

  6. Can you stop all spending?

    Yes

    Parents can require a PIN for purchases made with Epic payment. On consoles, phones and tablets, purchases go through Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Apple or Google, so their purchase approval settings are needed too. Rule 6Source

  7. Is everything checked before children see it?

    Yes

    Every player-made island is checked by Epic, including by a human moderator, and rated before it’s published. Nothing above Teen is allowed. Rule 7Source

Safety checks: chat on

Fortnite (chat on) fails 1 of our 7 safety checks. We apply the same strict rules to every app and game.

  1. Could we confirm every fact?

    Yes

    Every fact below links to its source. Rule 1

  2. Is your child old enough for the official ratings?

    Only from 13

    Rated 13+ by ESRB (US), Apple App Store and Common Sense Media. Rule 2

  3. Can you stop strangers contacting your child?

    Yes

    Parents can set voice and text chat to Nobody and require a parental PIN for every friend request. Rule 3Source

  4. Is every risk under control once settings are on?

    Yes

    No risk stays high once every control is on. Rule 4

  5. Is its child-safety record clear?

    No

    Australia’s eSafety regulator sent Fortnite compulsory notices about grooming in April 2026, found significant gaps in October 2026 and says it can take enforcement action. Rule 5Source

  6. Can you stop all spending?

    Yes

    Parents can require a PIN for purchases made with Epic payment. On consoles, phones and tablets, purchases go through Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Apple or Google, so their purchase approval settings are needed too. Rule 6Source

  7. Is everything checked before children see it?

    Yes

    Every player-made island is checked by Epic, including by a human moderator, and rated before it’s published. Nothing above Teen is allowed. Rule 7Source

Official age ratings

Rating boards judge the content, not what other players say or do online. We never go below the highest.

WhoRatingWhy
ESRB (US)T for TeenDiverse Content: Discretion Advised. Islands are rated E to T, and Epic allows nothing above Teen.
Google Play (UK, PEGI)Parental guidancePEGI's warning that content varies, because Fortnite hosts games made by other players.
Apple App Store13+Flags cartoon violence, weapons, crude humour, horror, loot boxes, chat and user-generated content.
Common Sense Media13+Because combat is the focus, plus purchase prompts and offensive language in chat with strangers.