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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think that Fortnite is too violent for a 7 year old?

189 replies

Celestia26 · 09/10/2018 22:57

I have a son aged 7, who has a few classmates who play Fortnite quite alot.

He's started talking about it, but because it contains guns and shooting I have said he can't play it.

AIBU? I haven't played it myself, so I'm just judging it on what I've heard.

OP posts:
ManyCrisps · 09/10/2018 23:01

It’s not actual guns and graphic violence that you would find in GTA or call of duty it’s cartoony.

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 09/10/2018 23:04

My son is also 7 and his school have been very clear that it's unacceptable for the age group. I think being cartoony makes it worse somehow, plus kids have a harder time differentiating between fantasy and reality anyway.

Invisimamma · 09/10/2018 23:06

My 8yr old plays. My do checked it out first. there's no blood and gore and the characters are quite cartoon like. There is weapons, I don't like it tbh but most of his class play. I limit his time to 1 hour per day

BarbarianMum · 09/10/2018 23:07

It's not that cartoony! It's rated 12 and I would totally judge any parent who let a 7 year old play. They'd probably be exactly the sort of people thst then go on to let their 12 year old pkay COD and GTA.

My kids do play Fortnight but they are 11 and 13.

ProfessorMoody · 09/10/2018 23:10

I do think 7 is too young, just because I don't think a 7 year old is ready for the emotional involvement. There are much more suitable games to play that offer the same collaborative skills.

However, I think 10 is fine - DS plays and he's 10, though its completely locked down and limited.

The content isn't particularly terrible though. There are much worse games out there that have lower ratings.

Original poster
Celestia26 · 09/10/2018 23:12

One of the mums have invited my son over a few times, but I always decline as her son seems to play Fortnite non stop.

I really don't want my son getting hooked on something like that, so I have just made up reasons why he can't go.

If I tell her the reason, it looks like I'm judging! (which I suppose I am really).

OP posts:
Thesmallthings · 09/10/2018 23:13

7... maybe a bit young but I would let 8 going on 9 play.

There is no blood, they literally just disappear.
It is addicting though.

AornisHades · 09/10/2018 23:13

My 7 year old wants Fortnite. He's not having it.

Kolo · 09/10/2018 23:15

My 7yo plays. Mainly because my 10yo does, so younger son watched him and eventually we felt there was not much point not letting him play. My concern wasn’t necessarily about guns and gore, though. It was about online safety. But both boys have child accounts to prevent them having any interaction with people we haven’t accepted.

ChablisLover · 09/10/2018 23:15

Far too young.

My 11yo plays but I hate it
If I don't limit it he turns very badly behaved.

ProfessorMoody · 09/10/2018 23:16

Most of the 7 year olds I teach play it, though its starting to wane with the older ones in KS2 now, as predicted.

If he doesn't have access to it at home, and it's a one off at a friend's house, he won't become addicted (and that's down to parenting anyway).

Kolo · 09/10/2018 23:18

What do you mean by “seems to play fortnite non stop”? I’m intrigued as to how you might know how often he plays?

t00dle00 · 09/10/2018 23:20

My soon to be 7 year old wants this game. I've said no. Most of his class play it so it's all I hear about when he gets home from school about how unfair I am.

Original poster
Celestia26 · 09/10/2018 23:33

Kolo social media posts from the mum.

OP posts:
ZanyMobster · 09/10/2018 23:39

I don't think it's that bad. My DCs don't play fortnite non stop as I don't allow it. Its not particularly difficult. My eldest is 12 so too old for it really, my youngest played it from age 9. I really can't see what would be inappropriate, I certainly don't let my 12 yo play GTA though.

If DCs are getting badly behaved when playing it i would assume that they are on it too long or just not mature enough to be playing that sort of game. Surely it's down to parents to manage this in whatever way they want. If you believe it is inappropriate then you are not unreasonable, you are neither right nor wrong about it, it's how you feel.

Itchyknees · 09/10/2018 23:46

I don’t allow it. Or Roblox.

Itchyknees · 09/10/2018 23:47

Or 5 nights at Freddie’s.

Or YouTube.

Isadora2007 · 09/10/2018 23:50

Yanbu.
My 6 year old loves all the fortnite dances and has a tshirt too- but isn't actually allowed to play the game. He can watch the dances on YouTube but not gameplay. Maybe from 7 he would be allowed a limited time but I’m hoping that the phase has died down by then.

HannahnotAgnes · 09/10/2018 23:52

My 7 year old plays Fortnite. I don't think it's any big deal - I've watched him play multiple times & it's not graphic at all & is great for tactics.

ProfessorMoody · 10/10/2018 07:07

Nothing wrong with either Roblox or YouTube if the child is parented correctly Confused

DragonGoby · 10/10/2018 07:13

I don't let me DS play it, although now he's 9 I may relax that.

However, I would (and do) let him go to another child's house and play it. It's a pity to turn down play dates as I think kids do benefit from meeting their friends outside school.

EnglishRose1320 · 10/10/2018 07:14

Definitely not suitable for a 7 year old. I think people think that it being cartoony makes it better, in my mind that makes it worse. They don't see death as anything serious, they minimise and accept violence, that is never a good thing. My 12 year old plays it but we limit how often and only let him play because socially he really struggles so it gives him a chance to chat to classmates. We don't even let our D's who is 8 in the same room if it's on the screen. I have friends who let younger children play it and those children want to be on it all the time, some are, others have limits. I know one boy who has been found on it at 4/5 in the morning and the parents don't seem to know how to stop him- too scared to take the console away because of his aggression which says it all really.

Allineedyoutodois · 10/10/2018 07:22

YANBU, our 8 year old doesn’t play nor do most of his friends. They all know the dances etc. Which is fine but he’s too young to play it IMHO. I’m the parent so I’m parenting on this one! Don’t give a monkeys how much of a craze it is. It is violent.

MetalMidget · 10/10/2018 07:41

It's rated 12 and, despite what people say, it's not 'just because it's online'. It's because it features identifiably human characters running around with realistic guns, shooting each other.

It's very stylised, and there's no blood, so it's kind of like a 12A film in that respect - although unlike a film, it's interactive, and all about killing and evading opponents.

hambo · 10/10/2018 07:45

Celestial, I have two boys and my nine year old plays Fortnite as the older one does. He struggles to stop playing and his mood changes lots after playing. If you have the means and the determination, I'd put off letting your child play until he is as old as possible. The actual game is not bloody or violent but the problem is it is highly addictive.