Fortnite Parental Controls & Safety Settings 2025

Welcome to the Children of the Digital Age’s updated Fortnite Parental Controls Guide for 2025. Fortnite, developed by Epic Games, remains one of the most popular online video games globally, particularly among children and teens. It’s a free-to-play battle royale game where players compete to be the last one standing, often involving building structures for defence and offense. While the game itself has a cartoonish aesthetic, its online, competitive nature and social features necessitate clear parental understanding and management.

 

Age Rating

• PEGI: 12 (Europe)
• ESRB: Teen (T) (North America) – for Violence
• Our Strong Recommendation – Due to the online interactions, in-app purchases, and competitive nature, active parental supervision and the implementation of these settings are vital, especially for players under 13.

 

 

Key Concerns for Parents in 2025

• Online Interaction: Unrestricted voice and text chat with strangers.
• In-Game Purchases: “V-Bucks” and cosmetic items that encourage spending.
• Addiction & Screen Time: The highly engaging nature can lead to excessive play.
• Exposure to Mature Language/Behaviour: Interactions with a global player base.
• Account Security: Protecting against unauthorized access and scams.
• Fair Play: Ensuring a respectful and non-toxic gaming environment.

 

 

Understanding Key Fortnite Features & Risks in 2025

Familiarizing yourself with these terms is fundamental to navigating Fortnite’s features effectively.

Battle Royale

The primary game mode where 100 players parachute onto an island, scavenge for weapons, and eliminate opponents until only one player or team remains.

Why This Matters – Parents

While the violence is stylized and not graphic, the core objective is to eliminate other players. This competitive and elimination-based gameplay can be intense and might not be suitable for very young children.

Why This Matters – Teens

Fortnite is about outsmarting and outplaying other players. It’s competitive, and sometimes intense, but it’s important to remember it’s just a game and to be a good sport.

 

V-Bucks

Fortnite’s in-game currency, purchased with real money. V-Bucks are used to buy cosmetic items like outfits (skins), emotes (dances), pickaxes, and gliders, which offer no in-game advantage.

Why This Matters – Parents

V-Bucks represent real money and can lead to significant unauthorized spending. The constant introduction of new, desirable cosmetic items can create pressure for children to make frequent purchases.

Why This Matters – Teens

V-Bucks cost real money, and it’s easy to spend a lot trying to get cool new skins or dances. Remember, these items don’t help you win the game, so think carefully before you buy.

 

Skins/Cosmetics

In-game outfits, pickaxes, gliders, and emotes that customize a player’s avatar. They are purchased with V-Bucks.

Why This Matters – Parents

The emphasis on unique skins can create social pressure among peers, leading children to feel they need to buy items to fit in or show off, driving up spending.

Why This Matters – Teens

It’s fun to have cool skins, but they don’t make you a better player. Don’t feel pressured to spend money just because your friends have certain items.

 

 

Cross-Platform Play

Fortnite allows players on different gaming systems (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, mobile) to play together.

Why This Matters – Parents

This broadens the potential pool of players your child can interact with, beyond just those on their specific console’s network. It highlights the importance of managing in-game communication settings.

Why This Matters – Teens

Playing with friends on different systems is great, but it also means you might encounter even more people you don’t know well. Be mindful of who you’re chatting with.

 

 

Voice Chat & Text Chat

Fortnite features in-game voice and text chat, allowing players to communicate with teammates and sometimes even opponents.

Why This Matters – Parents

Unrestricted chat can expose your child to mature language, bullying, or even grooming attempts from strangers. It’s one of the biggest risks in online gaming.

Why This Matters – Teens

Voice and text chat can be fun for coordinating with friends, but you might hear bad language or encounter toxic players. Always be careful what you say and who you talk to, and never share personal info.

 

 

Party Up/Friends List

Players can form a “party” to play together as a team. They can also add other players to their in-game friends list.

Why This Matters – Parents

Your child might add players they’ve only just met in a match to their friends list. These “friends” can then invite them to play, chat, and potentially gain more access. Regularly review their friends list.

Why This Matters – Teens

It’s easy to add new friends you meet in a game, but remember they’re still strangers. Only add people you trust to your friends list, and if someone makes you uncomfortable, unfriend or block them.

 

 

Creative Mode / UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite)

A sandbox mode where players can build their own islands, games, and experiences using Fortnite’s tools. UEFN is a more advanced version.

Why This Matters – Parents

While generally safer as it’s less competitive, children can still interact with others in shared creative spaces. Monitor the content your child is creating and playing within this mode.

Why This Matters – Teens

Creative mode is a fun way to express yourself and play unique games. Just like battle royale, be aware of who you’re building with and interacting with.

 

 

Essential Parental Control Features on Fortnite in 2025

Epic Games offers robust parental control features, which are managed through the Epic Games account linked to your child’s Fortnite profile. This is the most effective way to manage settings for their account across all platforms.

 

1. Set Up Epic Games Parental Controls (Mandatory for Parents)

These controls are managed directly on the Epic Games website, not just within the Fortnite game itself.

 

2. Access the Epic Games Website:

Go to www.epicgames.com and log in to your child’s Epic Games account.

If they don’t have one, create one, ensuring you use an accurate birthdate for the child (this helps Epic apply age-appropriate defaults).

 

3. Access Account Settings

Once logged in, click on their account name (usually in the top right corner), then select “Account.”

 

4. Navigate to Parental Controls

In the left-hand menu, select “Parental Controls.”

 

5. Set a 6-Digit PIN

You will be prompted to set a 6-digit PIN. This PIN is crucial as it prevents your child from changing the settings you establish. Keep this PIN secure.

 

Why This Matters – Parents

Setting up a parental control PIN on the Epic Games website is the single most important step. It gives you comprehensive control over all safety settings for your child’s Fortnite account, preventing them from bypassing your rules.

Why This Matters – Teens

Your parents setting up a PIN on the Epic Games account helps them protect your game settings. It’s there to make sure you’re playing safely and don’t accidentally change important rules.

 

 

Configure Key Fortnite Parental Control Settings via Epic Games PIN

Once your PIN is set, you can adjust the following:

1. Communication Settings

• Voice Chat: This controls who your child can communicate with via voice.
• Options: “Everyone,” “Friends and Teammates,” “Friends Only,” “Nobody.”
• Strong Recommendation for Young Users: Set to “Friends Only” or “Nobody.” “Friends and Teammates” can include strangers in squad fill.

Why This Matters – Parents

Restricting voice chat to “Friends Only” or “Nobody” prevents your child from speaking with strangers, drastically reducing exposure to inappropriate language, bullying, or attempts at grooming.

Why This Matters – Teens

Limiting voice chat means you’ll only talk to people you know or have chosen to be in your party, making conversations safer and more fun without random people yelling or being mean.

 

 

2. Text Chat: This controls who your child can communicate with via text.

• Options: Similar to voice chat, including “Everyone,” “Friends and Teammates,” “Friends Only,” “Nobody.”
• Strong Recommendation for Young Users: Set to “Friends Only” or “Nobody.”

Why This Matters – Parents

Just like voice chat, controlling text chat prevents unwanted interactions and the exchange of personal information with strangers.

Why This Matters – Teens

Controlling text chat keeps your conversations private and with people you trust, avoiding spam or mean messages from strangers.

 

 

3. Friend Request Settings

This setting controls who can send your child friend requests.

• Options: “Anyone,” “Friends of Friends,” “Nobody.”
• Strong Recommendation: Set to “Nobody” for younger children, or “Friends of Friends” for older teens with strict supervision.

Why This Matters – Parents

Limiting friend requests helps prevent your child from connecting with unknown individuals who might have malicious intent or expose them to inappropriate content/behaviour.

Why This Matters – Teens

Setting who can send you friend requests helps you control who you add to your game. Only adding people you know makes your online friend list safer and more reliable.

 

 

4. Content Filters (within Epic Games Launcher/Fortnite):

• Mature Language Filter: Enable this to filter out offensive language in text chat.

Why This Matters – Parents

This filter provides a basic layer of protection against profanity in text chat, even if your child is playing with people who use inappropriate language.

Why This Matters – Teens

The language filter helps keep text chat cleaner so you don’t see as much bad language, making the game more enjoyable.

 

 

5. Age-Restricted Game Content:

Fortnite now has an age rating system for individual islands and experiences created within the game (Creative Mode / UEFN). You can restrict your child from accessing content above a certain age rating (e.g., only allowing content rated PEGI 3/7 or ESRB Everyone/E10+).

Why This Matters – Parents

This is a crucial 2025 update. Fortnite is more than just Battle Royale now. Restricting content by age rating ensures your child only accesses user-created games and experiences deemed appropriate for their age, preventing exposure to mature themes.

Why This Matters – Teens

These content filters help make sure the games and islands you play within Fortnite are suitable for your age. It helps you avoid content that might be too mature or confusing.

 

 

6. Privacy Settings (Related to Public Profile):

Show Public Profile

Decide whether your child’s in-game profile (which shows stats, skins, etc.) is visible to everyone or only friends.

Why This Matters – Parents

Limiting public profile visibility reduces the amount of personal gaming information available to strangers, contributing to overall privacy.

Why This Matters – Teens

Deciding who sees your public profile helps you control how much information about your game stats or items is visible to others, keeping your gaming info more private.

 

 

Manage In-Game Purchases (V-Bucks)

1. Disable Unrestricted Purchases

On the Epic Games website, within Parental Controls, you can require your PIN for all real-money purchases (V-Bucks, game bundles). This is the strongest setting.

Alternatively, manage payment methods on the console/platform your child plays on (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC). Remove saved payment information or set up console-level spending limits/PINs for purchases.

Why This Matters – Parents

Requiring a PIN for purchases or removing saved payment details prevents unauthorized spending on V-Bucks and other in-game items, protecting your finances.

Why This Matters – Teens

Having a PIN for purchases helps you avoid accidentally spending too much money on V-Bucks. It’s a good way to manage your spending habits.

 

 

Account Security (Two-Factor Authentication – 2FA)

Enable 2FA: This adds a critical layer of security to your child’s Epic Games account.

• Log in to the Epic Games website.
• Go to “Account Settings” > “Password & Security.”
• Scroll down to “Two-Factor Authentication.”
• Enable 2FA using an authenticator app (recommended) or email/SMS.

Why This Matters – Parents

2FA makes your child’s account much more secure, preventing unauthorized access even if someone gets their password. This protects their account, progress, and prevents potential scams.

Why This Matters – Teens

2FA makes your account super secure! Even if someone knows your password, they can’t log in without a special code, keeping your game safe from hackers.

 

 

Reporting and Blocking Users

How to Report a Player in-game:

• During a match or from the lobby, open the Player Menu (often by selecting the player’s name).
• Select “Report Player.”
• Choose the reason (e.g., offensive language, cheating, harassment). 

Why This Matters – Parents: Empowering your child to report inappropriate behaviour is essential. It teaches them to stand up against toxicity and helps Epic Games moderate the community.

Why This Matters – Teens: If someone is being mean, cheating, or saying inappropriate things, reporting them helps keep the game fun and fair for everyone. You have the power to make the community better.

 

How to Block a Player:

• From the Friends List or Player Menu.
• Select the player’s name.
• Choose “Block.” This prevents them from sending messages or friend requests, and you won’t be matched with them.

Why This Matters – Parents: Blocking immediately stops all communication and interaction with a problematic player, providing an instant layer of protection against harassment or unwanted contact.

Why This Matters – Teens: Blocking someone means you won’t see their messages or get matched with them again. It’s a quick way to stop someone from bothering you and improve your gaming experience.

 

 

Beyond Settings: Proactive Parental Engagement for 2025

Technical controls are effective, but continuous engagement and dialogue are equally important for safe gaming.

 

1. Open Dialogue about Gaming

Regularly discuss who your child plays with, what they talk about, and any uncomfortable experiences.

Why This Matters – Parents

Building trust and open communication makes it more likely your child will come to you if they encounter problems, allowing you to intervene and support them.

Why This Matters – Teens

Talking to your parents about your gaming can help them understand your world and support you if you have any issues, without judgment.

 

2. Co-Playing and Observation

Occasionally play Fortnite with your child or observe their gameplay and interactions.

Why This Matters – Parents

Direct observation provides insights into their online interactions, the type of language used, and the content of the game, informing your ongoing safety strategies.

Why This Matters – Teens

Sharing your gaming with your parents can be fun! It helps them understand why you enjoy it and allows them to see how you interact with others.

 

 

3. Set Clear Expectations

Establish clear rules regarding screen time, in-game purchases, and appropriate online behavior.

Why This Matters – Parents

Clear rules reduce conflict and ensure consistency. When children know what’s expected, they are better equipped to make safe choices.

Why This Matters – Teens

Having clear rules about gaming helps you know what’s okay and what’s not, making it easier to manage your game time and stay out of trouble

 

4. Promote Healthy Habits: Encourage breaks, physical activity, and diverse interests outside of gaming.

Why This Matters – Parents

Balanced habits prevent gaming addiction, improve physical health, and ensure your child develops a wide range of interests and social skills.

Why This Matters – Teens

Taking breaks from gaming, moving your body, and having other hobbies keeps you healthy and balanced, preventing gaming from taking over your life.

 

5. Recognize and Address Overuse

Be aware of signs of problematic gaming (e.g., irritability when not playing, neglecting responsibilities, sleep deprivation).

Why This Matters – Parents

Early identification of overuse allows for timely intervention to re-establish healthy gaming habits and address any underlying issues contributing to excessive play.

Why This Matters – Teens

If gaming starts to affect your sleep, schoolwork, or friendships, it’s a sign you might need to adjust your habits. Recognizing this helps you stay in control.

 

By combining the robust parental controls offered by Epic Games with proactive communication and healthy digital habits, you can help your child enjoy Fortnite responsibly and safely in 2025.

 

 

Final Thoughts

In 2025, Fortnite remains a fun yet complex online space. Epic Games’ parental controls, when combined with proactive parenting, provide the structure and safety children need. By staying engaged and setting clear boundaries, families can ensure Fortnite is both entertaining and safe.

At Children of the Digital Age, we believe digital literacy and safety go hand in hand. These tools are not just helpful, they’re essential.

 

 

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For broader educational resources, engaging workshops, or personalized advice, don’t hesitate to contact Children of the Digital Age. We’re here to offer expert guidance, ensuring your children enjoy the digital world safely and responsibly. Your child’s digital well-being and online safety remain our utmost priority.

 

 

© 2025 Children of the Digital Age. All rights reserved. | Last Updated: July 2025