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

[Celestia26]

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.

My DS is in year 1 so mix of 6/7 year olds. There’s one child in his class who plays this. Even DS says it’s for older kids so they’ve obviously been discussing it at school. Personally wouldn’t let my 7 year old play anything like this on a computer we’ll stick with bowling and tennis on the wii

Both myself and my husband play, I wouldn’t let my children play at 7. It’s not overly graphic, but it can be very intense if you take it seriously (I don’t, I’m rubbish at it) it’s fast paced, short matches and you lose repeatedly which is apparently very frustrating, even dh gets wound up with it sometimes and he’s definitely old enough to know better so I’m not surprised there’s so many reports of it affecting children’s behaviour or being ‘addictive’ - as an adult you can identify when it’s not as much fun and switch off, but I imagine it’s very easy for younger kids/teens to get stuck in a ‘just one more match, I might win next time’ loop while getting increasingly frustrated with the game.

There's no death in Fortnite. They disappear and respawn.

Not like Super Mario, Sonic, Minecraft, any of the old style 80s games where they actually do die.

If you're happy for your kid to hack people and animals to death in Minecraft using a variety of weapons, why aren't you happy for them to shoot people where they don't die in Fortnite?

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

It's a 12 cert, how can they be too old for it at 12?
All my dc and friends play it, ages 13-17.
7 is too young.

ProfessorMoody I didn't say my son plays Minecraft.

He plays Wii sports or Mario Cart. Violence and weapon free.

I didn't say you did.

Mario Kart you mean? The one where anything is a weapon and the whole object of the game is to attack other players so that they lose the race? Using those non-weapons like bombs, exploding shells, actual missiles and flames?

😂

I won't let my 11yo play.

A lot of it is because of the addictive nature of fortnite.

ProfessorMoody

You seem the sort that no matter what I say, you'll find a way to argue.

I don't think anyone would agree that Mario Cart is comparable to Fortnite!

DS 7 plays the Fortnite cartoon in Roblox, and it's no worse than anything else in Roblox. We're limiting video games before bed now because of suspected ADHD, even if it turns out not to be that, changing routines is working, he has a calming storytelling app for 20 minutes before bed now.

It's MarioKart and I wasn't comparing it to Fortnite. You said it was non-violent and didn't use weapons. It is violent and it does use weapons.

HTH.

Just to say we made a parents' guide to Fortnite if anyone wants more information... It's quite in-depth and covers a lot of these points.

My eldest is 10 and I'm refusing fortnite more from the fact it seems highly addictive and my you her boys would be exposed

That's actually a pretty decent guide, @JoshMumsnet. I watched it thinking it was going to be an "Omg Guns" video but was quite the opposite. You're right, there isn't blood or gore, it's literally "target practice". No worse than going for a game of Laser Tag. The only thing I will say is that people don't "die", they are eliminated and go back to the lobby.

I also liked that you explained there's NO NEED to spend money on it as children can earn their own VBucks.

The main issues parents need to be aware of are locking it down to online chat and being able to spend real money if parental controls aren't set up.

It’s no worse than say plants vs zombies which is a 7 with online multiplayer. That’s running around as a zombie or plant shooting at each other. Minecraft you kill skellys/zombies/creepers etc and each other and slaughter animals. My 9 year old plays all the above games as well as Lego and sky landers games although again in sky landers and Lego you kill people/things. I don’t think there are many games that don’t involve trying to hurt/kill people/things, even mario cart you attack players carts. I wouldn’t let him play gta/cod/assassins creed etc though.

I’m baffled that anyone would think a twelve year old ‘too old’ for it There is very clear and sound guidance that it is not suitable for primary aged children. I would absolutely judge anyone who allows a small child to be exposed to games like this.

It's like Roblox/Minecraft, it's animated - however your feelings on these games are your own so up to you. My 8yo autistic brother plays it - helped him make friends, he loves it.

OK, whatever ProfessorMoody, it's your prerogative to let your children play videogames like Fortnite, just like it's mine to say I won't as I think it's too violent (along with many others on here).

We'll stick to MARIOKART with all its bloodthirsty blue shells and mushrooms! 😂

My 7 year doesn’t play it, nor does he have a games console. Too many parents in RL have said they regretted getting one in the house (console) so we’re going to leave it as long as possible. Not sure if that’s the right approach but he’s not begging for games and would rather be doing other things at the moment. I’ve seen the affects that particular game has had on my 14 year old nephew. It’s fair to say his life is controlled by it - he still plays sports etc but every other spare moment is on the game.

We had a ps from years ago and bought some games off eBay a couple of years ago inc a Lego one. Ds2 was about 5 & you could see he was pumped full of adrenaline at the end. Then were given an old Xbox & they play Minecraft and fifa. I like Minecraft and hosted a mc party - when I played the music all the party boys (age8/9) calmed down. Kids play a lot in creative mode but I just find ds2 behaviour is fine after - could be maturity rather than the game.

This year ds1&2 saved and bought an Xbox 1. I said no to fortnite as am worried I’ll see more of the adrenaline kick I used to see with the Lego game. If they buy it they’ll be restricted heavily. Ds1 couldn’t care less - at ten he’s so over that ( I can understand a 12 being too old)

This would not be a blanket ban on fortnite. They can play at friends but if they buy it I have to be a bit more strict about usage.

My 7 year old is not allowed to play it although he would love to - he's more Nintendo/Minecraft - I don't even really like Roblox. I don't like the shooting aspect or the multiplayer thing, or that it's addictive - minecraft is bad enough.

Mumtothe if u get one in the end don’t let him have it in bedroom

My 5 year old doesn’t have a console at home, but he did play fort nite when he went to a friends house for a play date. When that same child came to our house for a play date, he and my son played ‘real life fortnite’ in the garden (because he couldn’t play it properly) which involved him hitting my DS with swords and then throwing things at each other. The game was aggressive, unproductive and just not appropriate. I think it is just too addictive for young children to cope with and have asked my son not to play it again. I also pointed out its 12 rating which he understood and is happy with- for now!! I can understand the pressure though- it’s hard to be the mum who says no when ‘everyone in the whole class’ is allowed to play!

Alevelconfusion - sorry I meant he is quite grown up and I'm all honesty it's quite a babyish game for an 'older' 12 yo. Its just his opinion. I wasn't meaning it in relation to the certificate however personally I think a 12 cert for it is ridiculous.

I have unfortunately suffered lots of the game with younger DS and I cannot see any appeal for senior school age children.
It genuinely feels like a kids game.