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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:
KingscoteStaff · 20/12/2018 06:10

It’s not the violence, it’s the addictive nature of the game, which causes regular rows at home when it has to be turned off.

Parents in my class also report increasing problems with getting to sleep after playing.

AutumnColours9 · 20/12/2018 06:14

I've never had a problem when turning it off either. And I have 5 DC. I'm not sure it is the game itself.

FuckingYuleLog · 20/12/2018 11:01

Well screen time full stop isn’t recommended an hour before bed to give the brain time to wind down so I’m not surprised children are having trouble sleeping.
My kids used to occasionally kick up a fuss when it was time to switch off. The same as they would if they had to finish anything they were enjoying. They would lose their screen time the following day though so it didn’t last long.
I think parents pandering to kids who don’t want to do what they’re told and letting them play for hours and become addicted is more of a problem than the game itself.

Menolly · 20/12/2018 11:40

I have had to call an awful lot of parents recently about their 6/7 year old children deciding to play 'real life fortnite' in the playground and there is online chat which worries me.

If he's a sensible 7 that knows not to then act it out in real life, and you monitor it closely because of the online chat it might be ok, I'd recommend try playing it yourself and see what you think first. One off at a friends house won't do any real harm, other than possibly make him keep asking to have it at home. Personally I won't let my 10 year old play, I'm not particularly keen on my 14 year old playing either but that's more about the amount of times I have to tell him to stop shouting at the computer!

Xiaoxiong · 20/12/2018 13:18

We just had a letter from school at the end of term about it, they've highlighted that it's rated 12 and included a safeguarding leaflet saying to set time limits, age limits for content, restrict in-app purchases and turn off voice chat. And that they will discourage any play at school mimicking fortnite battles.

Interestingly when I questioned DS1 about whether other kids play it in his class (year 2) he said "oh fortnite is so stupid, nobody plays it anymore" (not that he has ever played it or seen anyone else playing it!) Hopefully the fad will have died down by the time he's older.

Figgygal · 20/12/2018 13:21

My 7 year old wouldn't be allowed to play it either.

Malbecfan · 20/12/2018 13:31

At the primary school I do a bit of teaching in, the Head has not only banned talk of it and emailed parents as @Xiaoxiong has posted above but he has said that it is a safeguarding concern and he won't hesitate to report families who allow their kids to play it. They are working hard to improve kids' behaviour and as others have said, there is a distinct difference in their kids once they play it.

HighwayDragon1 · 20/12/2018 13:34

DD is 8 and isn't allowed to play, because it's a 12 cert.

Believeitornot · 20/12/2018 13:38

My ds nagged for fortnite for months and months. I let him have it for his 9th birthday.

But I played it first to see what the big deal is.

The issue isn’t so much the violence (how many kids have nerf guns...??!) but the addictive nature. I myself found it difficult to switch off on one particular mode and would keep going and going.

I’m glad that I did play then I learnt how to manage. Ds isn’t allowed more than 45 mins in one setting and we have no screens after 5pm anyway. We also have no screens at all two days a week.

If he plays too much fortnite, he will be massively “wired” because it really does raise your adrenaline levels but without a physical outlet, it’s hard to calm down.

Playing with headphones makes that feeling worse as it is far too immersive.

AutumnColours9 · 20/12/2018 13:43

Why are schools telling people how to parent? Ridiculous.

FuckingYuleLog · 20/12/2018 14:42

I’m sorry but there’s no way it’s a safeguarding concern. The age restrictions are guidelines - not law! There is no way a head teacher is reporting nearly a whole school full of parents who let their 11yr olds or younger play Fortnite to Children’s Services giving an overstretched service a ridiculous number of referrals to follow up - endangering actual children at risk. And if they did I would hope CS would report the head for timewasting!

goodtimesxd · 24/12/2018 02:24

Yeah, I'd say 7 is a little too young. This is coming from someone who hates when people try to regulate video gaming.

Lofari · 24/12/2018 02:38

My 7yo will often watch her older brother play but doesn't play it herself. She has no real interest to. She likes the silly dances and costumes that's all.

TigerQuoll · 24/12/2018 02:49

Search for fortnite kids rages on YouTube for good reasons to keep it away from everyone no matter the age. Also www.sbs.com.au/news/fortnite-gamer-accused-of-live-streaming-domestic-violence-assault-granted-bail

TigerQuoll · 24/12/2018 02:50

Eg m.youtube.com/watch?v=T-ihiVEM3go

stopgap · 24/12/2018 02:52

Good god, it wouldn’t even enter my head to allow my 7-year-old to play. He plays football or goes on the trampoline when he has friends over. He plays FIFA 19 a couple of times a week, but that’s it.

turnipsaretheonlyveg · 24/12/2018 03:12

It's rated 12, my 10 year old wasn't allowed it it despite much nagging, then school banned talk of it reminding everyone it was rated 12. I think the craze is passing though. It will be something else soon.

BestParentMugIsMine · 26/12/2018 18:01

Never Let Him Play HE IS STILL A LITTLE KID

Subtlecheese · 26/12/2018 18:11

It's not suitable. The local primary school has sent a list out of games children play with the age rating and reasons why it is inappropriate / ways that the game has been abused to manipulate children.
The local police also gave a talk following a UK wide investigation into online safety (or lack) on one of the games that is popular (probably fortnite)

Subtlecheese · 26/12/2018 18:14

And it is a safeguarding concern when other factors (children suddenly very angry, extremely tired, weight change, use of inappropriate language,) of online gaming become noticeable in class.

Knitwit101 · 26/12/2018 18:14

My 6yo plays it after a fashion, he is not very good at it and doesn't really understand what to do. But he will have a go when his brothers are playing. He'd rather play Minecraft or Slime Rancher though.
I don't let his 12 almost 13yo brother play Call of Duty or GTA despite 'all' his peers having it and I can't see me changing my mind about that any time soon.

I think Fortnite is harmless enough. I also don't mind them chatting to their friends while doing it, older ds often plays with family who live far away. I quite like that.

Maybe I'm naive but my kids are pretty well balanced for now. I think it's the obsessiveness which is the bad thing and you can get that with any game.

Nubbin · 26/12/2018 18:18

Absolutely not for a 7 year old - or tbh anyone not a teen. There are a million things they would be better doing and I bet I can draw a direct correlation between academic achievement/behaviour and young age/amount of time allowed to play.

hollyhaphazard · 26/12/2018 18:19

First person shooter in any format isn't appropriate for a 7 year old.

LovesLaboursLost · 26/12/2018 18:26

My 7 year-old DS’s class seems to divide into fort nite and minecraft players. No way is he having fortnite.

PottyPotterer · 26/12/2018 18:28

It’s not the violence, it’s the addictive nature of the game, which causes regular rows at home when it has to be turned off.

See if any game was causing rows in my house the console would go straight in the bin and DS knows it. Never had any issues. Saying that I do think 7 is a bit young personally, mine was playing Lego games and Minecraft at that age. I think a lot depends on the child's nature tbh.