Fortnite
Gaming platform
In short
Fortnite is a collection of online games and player-made experiences. Chat and V-Bucks spending are the main things to review. Epic parental controls sit behind a PIN. PEGI treats the Fortnite app as needing parental guidance because the content varies; Battle Royale is PEGI 12.
Quick facts
- Private messaging depends on settings
- Strangers can contact users, depending on settings
- Voice chat depends on settings
- In-app spending is possible
- Official parental controls are available
What can parents control?
Parent controls
Epic parental controls can be set in the Epic account portal or in Fortnite behind a 6-digit PIN. You can limit friend requests, voice and text chat, mature language filtering and purchases, and receive email reports when settings change. If a player is under 13, or under the local age of digital consent, Epic starts them on a cabined account. They can still play, but features such as voice chat and real-money purchases wait for parent consent.
Who can they talk to?
Voice and text chat can include friends, teammates and, depending on settings, people met in a match. Epic lets parents limit who can use voice and text chat. For children under 10 the maximum is friends only; under 13 the maximum is friends, team members and connections until the parent chooses otherwise. Turning off voice chat in Fortnite does not always turn off a console's own party chat.
Can money be spent?
V-Bucks are Fortnite's virtual currency and are used for cosmetic items and some other content. Epic parental controls can require a PIN for purchases. Epic says that PIN does not cover payments made on PlayStation, Steam, Xbox or Nintendo Switch, and it does not cover spending already-owned V-Bucks. Gift cards can also sit outside some purchase locks.
What about privacy?
Usernames, cosmetics and party chat can reveal information a child chooses to share. There is no general live-location feature. Account details, friend requests and moves to another app are the more common privacy issues.
Talk about it
Ask who they play with and whether voice chat is on with random teammates. Set the PIN together, and also check the chat and spending settings on the console or phone. Agree what to do if someone in chat asks for account details.
What is it?
Fortnite is an online game service from Epic Games. It includes Battle Royale and other modes, plus experiences made by Epic and by other players. People play together on phones, computers and consoles.
Why do kids use it?
Children and teenagers use Fortnite to play with friends, compete in Battle Royale, try new modes and collect cosmetic items. Playing with a squad is often as social as it is about the game itself.
Sources & last reviewed
Last reviewed August 31, 2026
ParentPilot uses first-party material where possible. Features can change, so check the linked source before changing important settings.
Epic Games
Official sourceCabined Accounts
Reviewed August 31, 2026
Open sourceEpic Games
Official sourceParental Controls
Reviewed August 31, 2026
Open sourceEpic Games
Official sourceHow do I set up Parental Controls for Fortnite?
Reviewed August 31, 2026
Open source