Fortnite parental controls: chat, purchases and playtime
How to use Epic Games' parental controls for Fortnite to manage voice and text chat, friend requests, purchases and playtime reports.
- Set up Epic's parental controls with a PIN so your child can't change them.
- Turn voice and text chat to friends only or off, and limit friend requests.
- Require the PIN for purchases, and turn on weekly playtime reports.
Fortnite is a popular online game, best known for its battle royale mode, where players compete to be the last one standing. It's rated for teens by most ratings systems, though many younger children play. It includes voice and text chat, and in-game purchases with V-Bucks.
Epic Games, which makes Fortnite, has built-in parental controls that also apply to other Epic games.
Setting up parental controls
- Sign in to your child's Epic account in Fortnite, or on the Epic Games website.
- Go to Parental Controls in the settings.
- Enter your email and create a 6-digit PIN. Keep it private.
- Choose the settings below.
Children under 13 (or the age of digital consent in your country) may have a restricted, "cabined" account until a parent gives permission for features like voice chat and purchases.
Key settings
Chat
- Voice chat: set to Friends and teammates, Friends only, or Nobody. For young children, Nobody.
- Text chat: same options.
- Mature language filter: on.
Friends
- Friend requests: require PIN or parental permission.
- Show display name: hide in game for younger children.
Purchases
- Require PIN for purchases of V-Bucks and items.
- Don't save a card on the account. See stopping surprise purchases.
Content
- Island ratings: Fortnite includes islands made by creators, each with an age rating. Restrict access to islands above your child's age rating.
Time
- Playtime reports: weekly emails showing how long your child played.
- Time limits in Epic's parental controls, where available, or on the device or console. See console parental controls.
Things to talk about
- Strangers: voice chat means hearing and talking to adults. Same grooming red flags apply.
- V-Bucks scams: free V-Bucks offers are scams. See scams that target kids.
- Stopping mid-match: like other online games, matches can't be paused. Agree on "no new match after..."
- Competitive pressure and toxic chat.
Consoles and PCs
If your child plays on a console, set up the console's own parental controls too. They cover all games, not just Fortnite.
eGuard sets up screen time, bedtime and app rules on your child's phone and checks that each one is really on. Free for one child.