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Recently we have noticed an increasing number of children (and also parents) talking about the game Fortnite; basically it is an online game, and also a cross-platform play (or crossplay) and it allows mobile (Android and iOS), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac and Windows PC players to play together. Great, but what are the controversial aspects surrounding Fortnite?
Polemic Game: a few weeks ago Prince Harry launched an explosive attack on Fortnite and other online games for being “addictive” and called for them to be banned. For this reason, I have decided to investigate this cross-platform game. According to The Telegraph, Schools are warning parents that Fortnite is making children "aggressive and violent". Currently, this game has nearly 250 million registered players around the world, with 10.8 million concurrents.
Several organizations have created some special guidance and support materials in order to help parents to deal with the Fortnite phenomenon. I found on a web this concise and objective guide, created by Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School and I would like to share with you. This Institution prioritized the essential points and information that all parents must to be aware of.
What is Fortnite? Fortnight is an online game, which includes Battle Royale, where players do not have to pay to play. In Battle Royale, 100 players compete against each other to be the last person standing in player vs player (PVP) combat.
Users play against people of different ages from across the world, and can talk and interact with each other as they play through the in-game chat feature. What age rating is Fortnite? Fortnite has a PEGI rating of 12, PEGI have said this is due to the: ‘frequent scenes of mild violence. It is not suitable for persons under 12 years of age’. This PEGI rating only takes into account the content in the game and not the contact element, where players may be exposed to swearing and offensive language from strangers, either through audio or on-screen text chat. What do I need to know? No age restriction when creating an account In order to play Fortnite you have to create an account. To create this account you need to provide an email address (which you will have to verify) and display/user name. However you are not asked your age in order to create an account.
You play against other players
As Fortnite is an online game you will play against players of different ages from across the world. You cannot turn the in-game chats off or choose who you play against.
You can make in game purchases
Although Battle Royale is free to play, other aspects of the game are not. There are packs which give you different access to the full game and extensions, bonuses and weapons. These start at £34.99 and go up to £119.99. The game does ask players to make additional in-game purchases whilst playing, though these are not required to play the game.
There is animated violence
Fortnite does feature violence when players are in combat with each other, the animation of the game is cartoonish, and the violence isn't bloody or gory. However, it is worth noting that the aim of Fortnite is to defeat other players by fighting against them.
Where you can play
Fortnite is currently available on PC, Mac, PlayStation, XBox, and IOS (apple products). It is downloadable from the Fortnite website, this download gives access to both the free and paid for versions of the game.
Advice
Have an open and honest conversation with your child. It’s important to involve yourself in your child’s online life and a simple and effective way to this is by talking to them about their life online. Try to maintain an open dialogue with your child and find opportunities to talk to them about what they love to do online. Parents can help children access the amazing resources the internet has to offer whilst keeping them safe online at the same time.
Know how to make a report. On Fortnite you can report players who are underage or are behaving inappropriately by using the in-game feedback tool located in the game Main Menu, you can also make a report by emailing the creators of Fortnite.
See what other people think of Fortnite. Common Sense Media allow parents and young people to give their reviews of games that they have played. They have created a very useful video guide to Fortnite with footage of the gameplay involved.
SO, is FORTNITE SAFE for KIDS?
With the right supervision, maybe. However, I still think that outdoor activities can be much more enjoyable - and I am sure you would feel a lot better if your child spends more time in the boundless world of nature than playing a video game. Watch out parents: do not allow your child's video game console to become a portal for possible online predators; this an effective recommendation from digital safety specialists. I hope you found this post informative and useful. Please don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
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