Kids' dad let them play Fortnite

[UnderStatemented]

Apologies for my ignorance on these matters - don't have a games console.

I have heard that the kids (12 and 8) played Fortnite, supervised by him, at their dad's. He is extremely diligent as a parent and normally errs on the overprotective side. In his words, he let them play for an hour or two as they were feeling left out not having played/seen it. He agrees that in an ideal world they wouldn't, but that as an occasional thing he didn't think it would be a problem, to demystify it.

What do you think??

I gave him a hard time about it, and he was quite upset and apologetic. I'm now wondering if I was harsh.

I think it’s fine at those ages

What's wrong with Fortnite? My 10 year old plays it, as do all his similar aged friends. I'd imagine your 12 year old feels pretty left out if he isn't allowed tbh.

Nothing wrong with Fortnite, we let our 8yo play it. We have restricted all chat options, though as it seems that's where the real issues lie.

What is it you object to about Fornite in part? Or is it that you don't want them playing on the console at all ? My 10yo ds plays Fortnite. It can be a bit addictive, but he's only allowed a limited amount of time on it.

• in particular

Thanks all.
I read that it's got a 12 rating, so was worried about the 8yo.
Their dad was there all the time so no potential for the "chat" option to be a problem I suppose.

It's a 12 isn't it? I couldn't get upset about that, especially supervised. I don't think you had any place giving him a hard time about it tbh, he is their parent too. If it was an 18 I'd understand...

Also I don't think it's okay to give your ex a 'hard time' about a parenting decision unless there are welfare concerns tbh. He didn't do anything wrong.

You probably need to chill a bit.

My 8 and 10 yr olds occasionally play Fortnite. It’s fine.

I think he’s right. Ideally, 8 year olds wouldn’t be playing death match games, but they are and it’s better that they’re being allowed to supervised than sneaking around to play it. As long as chat restrictions are in place and their dad knows what they’re doing, I don’t see a problem with it.

The 12 year old will feel especially left out if he can’t play it though. All of his/her friends with an interest in gaming will have played it by now.

Wow, I often get lambasted on MN for being too laissez-faire, but I certainly wouldn't be letting an 8yo play Fortnite. I wouldn't be particularly happy about the 12yo either, though I accept it's closer to the line. My 14 and 16yos play it and it makes me wince to hear them congratulating each other on a "great head-shot" etc. It's nasty.

Ok, thanks all. If this is unanimous I will speak again to their dad, then, and apologise for being unreasonable. As I say, he's a very good parent (and a very good friend) so I was probably out of line.

Spoke to soon. Interesting - thanks Greensleeves

*too soon

My 12 year old plays it. It's very cartoon style violence - no blood, when a player dies they sort of disappear, and go back to the lobby to play again. There's not even any bullet holes to show where someone's been hit.
Ds is only allowed to play in the living room, where I can supervise the chat, and he's only allowed to chat to his real life friends, as the chat that dh hears when he's playing is an issue for me.
I don't really see an issue, especially for the 12 year old, but, with the chat restricted, it's no worse than a Lego game tbh.

Ok, yes, it is a shoot to "kill" game but there isn't any blood or gore at all - a hit results in the player disappearing in a blue flash of light, it's hardly distressing.

Fortnites one of those games that the press jumps on as being such a bad influence on kids. It’s fine,it really is. It’s actually great fun. DS 9 loves it. The only word of caution is just to limit time on it cause it does draw them in,it’s high energy, gets the heart rate up. Couple of hours at a time,no probs.

I let my 10 year old play it. It's not like CoD or anything. It's the in thing and I can honestly say I don't want my child to be the uncool one who's left out. I really don't think it's bad and I'm pretty strict with ratings.

It's more like Tom and Jerry than Saving Private Ryan.

Do they have nerf guns? It’s a similar level of realism.

I play fortnite, it's the least gore filled of any game I have ever played. But yes parents need to be very aware of chat and messages on any gaming system.

I responded to a msg to help a player in a very hard mission but a different game a couple of weeks ago. I ended up gaming with a kid of about 11. I always ask them if they have permission to go in to open chat and remind them that not everyone is a good person online.

I am always totally horrified children go in to open chat.

Thanks all. This has been really helpful.

I’m not a gamer, but I did read quite a lot of research papers on the effects recently. What I found interesting was that children who play violent video games with their parents were found to be more community-minded and empathetic than children who didn’t play at all. Just something I thought might ease your mind.