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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:
blueskiesandforests · 28/12/2018 14:08

Harrisonn Xmas Biscuit

Atleastihavethecat · 28/12/2018 14:23

Tbh, Fortnite has some aspects that I really like. Everyone starts with nothing, it's free, it has team play, and even if you do buy things it doesn't give you any benefits over the other players. Having said that my DC play on my account, so I know who they're talking to and who they've added. I don't play, I prefer swords to guns, but I think it depends on the child. If the child could play, and respect time limits etc. Then fine. If not then no. But if I was against it, I wouldn't give in just because everyone else has it, as I didn't when my then 11 year old DD wanted an iPhone.

JumpingJunipersBatman · 28/12/2018 15:05

I won't let my 8 year old play it.

I would tell the other mum that you don't think your child would be able to manage the content so please don't play it. It makes it about your child, not tgeir parenting.

frogsbreath · 28/12/2018 15:14

This game really isn't suitable for primary age kids, however I know kids in my year 2 sons class do play it.

On the flip side my son (6) plays minecraft and a family friend with similar age child is aghast at this. So who am I to judge?

(I do judge)

blueskiesandforests · 28/12/2018 15:23

frogsbreath are you aware of Minecraft bedwars? This is something I caught into late - it's a lot like Fortnite!

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 28/12/2018 15:25

Minecraft is far more violent than Fortnite Grin

sickmumma · 28/12/2018 18:51

@blueskiesandforests I agree with the you tube comment! It's very hard to monitor what they are watching unless you are sat watching it with them - much more so than a tv where channels such as CBeebies/citv etc obviously are regulated, children are much less likely to flip onto a horror film channel (and on our tv anything like that requires a pin in the daytime) where as just one wrong click and there are swearing you tubers and such - infact DS is not allowed YouTube and hasn't been on a tablet at home since before summer I would probably say (he likes to play flight simulator on grandads one but that's not that often)

I am actually due my 4th child - I have a 9 year old (probably if he didn't play fortnight DS7 wouldn't have done for another year or so also but it is harder when you have older siblings) we also have a 5 year old - she isn't interested in consoles at all the only game she will occasionally watch the boys play is Pokémon!

I think in regards to the mocking about newb skins etc sadly some 11 year olds will just be like that! Doesn't matter if it's over fornite or something else. Like I said my eldest is 9 so far we haven't experienced this with his friends and with the fill they and their friends accept that so far so. Maybe different with older kids but if that's what age the game is suitable for them kind of defeats the point if it's causing problems. Like I said I am
Using my common sense, putting down firm
Boundaries with it which so far the kids are respecting that and if that was to change then they wouldn't be on and they know this, in a way I think starting off with good habits hopefully will see them through but if age 12 my child is hitting TV screens and not eating due to being addicted I will stand corrected! However I would like to think it's not the game that causes this but lack of parenting and healthy but fair rules!

frogsbreath · 28/12/2018 19:10

I'm frightened to google minecraft bedwars...what can it be? ConfusedGrin

Ds just likes feeding pandas or yes, blowing things up with tntXmas Confused

blueskiesandforests · 28/12/2018 19:14

frogsbreath they have to kill everyone else, then blow up/ destroy their bed so they can't respawn apparently.

It's a last man standing murder game, just like Fortnite.

Limensoda · 28/12/2018 19:18

My 6 year old grandson and his friends play it.....and too much.
I don't approve but his parents seem to think it's ok.
I'm glad that there are parents of children that age who won't allow it.

frogsbreath · 29/12/2018 00:01

*Blueskiesandforests
*
Is that something that happens online? We won't be allowing that for another 5 years at least Shock

I just like levelling the landscape and making it all neat and flat. DS rarely asks me to play with him Grin

smackbangwhollop · 29/12/2018 18:48

It's a highly addictive game that can contribute towards behaviour problems. At on a point we were getting letter every week from school asking please do not let your child play Fortnight. It was causing so much disruption at school. It's banned in my house and my child is 12.

blueskiesandforests · 29/12/2018 18:59

frogsbreath yes - you can create whitelists and turn chat off, which is how we allowed Minecraft online before Fortnite for ds1, but I hadn't caught on to the last man standing element of Minecraft!

Our kids play Minecraft together on a split screen (Xbox) and that has potential to be aggressive too.

I must say though there's just something unsavoury about last man standing games for me. All very hunger games/ Lord of the Flies, which doesn't feel suitable for kids under somewhere around 11 imo ...

MySonsAMonster · 09/02/2019 16:48

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FunkyLemon · 09/02/2019 17:00

fortnite is rated 12. i know lots of kids who started playing fortnite which quickly turned into them playing GTA because they told their parents 'its just cartoony fun'

FunkyLemon · 09/02/2019 17:03

also im seeing on this chat that minecraft multiplayer is.... violent? Bedwars, yes, is a last man standing game but you can also play hide and seek and lots of other perfectly reasonable games on there too... i think its quite sad that parents these days think minecraft, of all games, is violent.

Iggly · 09/02/2019 17:06

My 9 year old plays fortnite and bloody hell it is addictive.

So I have quite strict rules around it. Plus he’s not allowed to play every day.

stayathomer · 09/02/2019 17:16

I hover while my kids play it. If I could go back in time id never have let it into the house. The kids turn irrational when playing, shouting, screaming and crying ( 9 yo and 11yo) resulting in a ban. There are new parts to it now that have zombies that are too scary for my younger dss to be around. As for the online safety thing we have it in the sitting room and have no headphones but all of the kid's friends do and are talking on screen so at times I feel guilty. Dh is hooked too and picks it up after the kid's are gone to bed and turns into an on edge junkie! Don't ever feel guilty for not allowing Fortnite-it's evil!!!!

MamaDane · 09/02/2019 17:22

It's rated 12. Just follow the ratings.

I've watched many playthroughs of Fortnite (I generally watch before I decide I want to bother playing a game) and was surprised at how many children were playing it.

It's a Battle Royale. You are 100 players that kill each other until one is left (The winner) and that's just not appropriate for kids that age just because there isn't gore.

antigame · 20/02/2019 06:27

If you would allow your child to watch a film that contents cartoonish violence, I would argue that there is no difference from allowing your child to play a game with that same violence.

Studies have shown Article 1 and for further evidence (something a little more local): Article 2 time and time again that there is no link between violent video games of any kind and behavior. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that video games (of any kind) are significantly more productive than movies or TV shows of similar content. Games support problem-solving, quick decision making, cooperation, and a significant amount more.
If your child becomes aggressive or easily agitated after they begin to play games, you should have a discussion with them about the problems you perceive in their activity and work productively on a solution for it, as opposed to punishing them. Your kid learns from you, so you need to think carefully about how you approach problems with your child.

antigame · 20/02/2019 06:30

@stayathomer If you really have that much of a problem with Fortnite, you should have a discussion with your children about their behaviour. Additionally, them getting angry about things that happen in the game are okay, venting is a healthy thing to do and helps reduce stress in life.

Magnificentbeast · 20/02/2019 06:46

My 10yo plays. I checked it out first as I was concerned about the shooting etc. However, as others have said it's not graphic. I think one of the attractions is being able to play alongside friends in their own homes. They can talk to and message each other.

I wouldn't let a 7yo play though. It's a bit young and there's no rush to do these things from a parenting point of view. It is addictive and as with most addictions it impacts behaviour and mood.

We limit the time on the PS4 generally. It's set up on the main tv so it's easier in a way to restrict it. The constant negotiations to play longer when you're trying to get them off it is annoying.

Magnificentbeast · 20/02/2019 06:50

Just to say I probably wouldn't say no to play dates because of it if I was otherwise happy for those children to spend time together.

I would say no if it was GTA or Call of Duty or similar.

Logoplanter · 20/02/2019 07:00

I'm a pretty strict parent and I let my 7 almost 8 year old play. However, this was only once DH had checked it out. Console is in the front room and there is always a parent with him when he plays. He also has strict time limits (30 minutes a day)

I have to say personally I don't like it although I don't consider it particularly violent, but I don't like the fact you are hunted by other people. DS's behaviour has been pretty poor in the past when he's had to turn it off but he now knows if he acts up he won't get to play it the next day. He also often just plays it with him and his friends in their own little world which I much prefer.

Geraldine312 · 29/10/2019 03:38

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