Fortnite/Roblox chat for 8 year old?

[confusedallday]

Hi,

My DS has asked for the above, so far I’ve had it blocked. He said his school friends now all have chat and he wants it too, to talk to them.

I can’t decide what to do, I’m not overly comfortable allowing this and worry it’s too young to allow more freedom online BUT I also don’t want him left out.

I am being too overprotective here?

Thanks

No you are not.

www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/14/risks-children-roblox-deeply-disturbing-researchers

No you aren't! My 13 Yr old still isn't allowed either of them

Fortnite -you can set it so they can only talk to people they are friends with. Also DC only use it in an area I can hear (it's deeply annoying but I do know what is going on that way). It does improve the game if they can communicate with their team mates.

I don't allow chat on Roblox as I didn't find the controls specific enough. My DC tend to facetime their friends on their iPad when playing together.

Roblox is being sued after making almost no attempt to prevent abusers accessing children.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna225144

It’s profiting from child abuse.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/roblox-ceo-called-resign-sending-122601240.html

Those articles on Roblox are terrifying 😧unreal! That’s a definite no for that then.

If I do enable chat on Fortnite he’d have to play it on the tv whilst I’m there so I can monitor and it would be strictly only his friends. I have a pin set up so he can’t add friends without my consent. I also check it to make sure he hasn’t accepted anyone we don’t know. It’s a minefield.

There was a video going around recently of a 30-something showing up at a 12 year old’s house because she gave him the address. Fortunately the family was home.

Also, grooming aside, these games are overall terrible for children’s brains.

No way. Fortnite isn’t appropriate for an 8 year old anyway, never mind chatting on it. I’m a primary teacher and have had to deal with various problems involving Roblox and Fortnite chats (safeguarding mainly), despite them being outside school. I have a 7 year old DD, and there’s no way she will be allowed either if she asks.

🙄🙄🙄🙄 not inappropriate at all, no different to any other game and nothing wrong with kids playing them as long as they’re safe.

As PPs have said... not overprotective.
I work in tech and internet safety and safeguarding are part of my role - I do not, and would not, let DD (also 8) have access to the chat function of any online game, neither would my colleagues.

DD was at a primary school friend’s sleepover aged 10 — we didn’t allow her a phone at all at that age — and one girl who did have a phone was messaging individuals who said they were older boys (adult men in all likelihood) on Roblox chat: no safeguards at all. There’s no way I’d let my DD use it even at 13.

Thanks everyone. We’ve decided against it and will be keeping the chat features off.