Fortnite for a 9 year old?

[onlyconnect]

My son keeps asking if he can play Fortnite. I have no idea! I don't know anything about gaming and find it very hard to judge. Does anyone know what it's like and whether it's suitable for a 9 year old please?

[Pixiedust1234]

no its not

Think its rated 13+ , however its one of the few games that help create aggressive children. Its a thing. Research that part rather than what age guidance it is.

[SpringIntoChaos]

It's not hard to google! It's also not hard to be a good parent and keep up to date with current mental health trends in children!

Even a very basic knowledge of gaming trends, affects of certain games (of which Fortnite is one of the MAIN culprits!!) and aggression/negative behaviour in boys would have told you that this is a bad idea 🤦‍♀️

Have a read of this, then maybe try researching for yourself 'Fortnite and mental health in children' 👍

screenstrong.com/how-fortnite-makes-your-son-aggressive/

[JazbayGrapes]

Let him try and see. Any bad behaviour afterwards - bin the game.

My DS just cannot play any multiplayer games whatsoever. Myself I can't handle sports/races. Kicks aggression into high gear.

[Overshadowed]

Mine has it at 9, time is limited on it, not before bed, only allowed to play alone or with friends I know well and in the same room as me so I can hear what’s going on. The slightest sign of frustration and it goes off.

i read up on it before allowing it, talked to my friends whos children play it and even played it myself to see if I thought it suitable. I should add my 9 year old is very mature and actually doesn’t play it that often now he has it as he prefers minecraft and fifa.

[Onacuctustree]

My now 13 yo tried it at 10. The difference in his behaviour was noticeable. It was deleted. He recognised himself that it made him aggressive and angry.
He hasn't asked for it back.
He shouts at other games but nothing quite like Fortnite.
Maybe try it with the agreement that if he is in anyway affected by it, behaviour wise, it's gone.

[FlippertyGibberts]

No, it just isn't suitable for a 9yo.

[FromEden]

I think its fine 🤔My dd played it at 9 and didn't get aggressive. Often she would just chat to her friends while playing creative mode. Maybe it's just a boy thing. She's 10 now and it's no longer cool among her friend group apparently so it's not played anymore, although I play it with her occasionally. Again, no aggression on either of our parts and we don't chat to anyone.

[FromEden]

To add, I only let her add her real life friends and chat to them in a private party. I didn't let her do the chat with randomers thing.

[Howmanysleepsnow]

Mine have had it since age 8. It was their main way of socialising in lockdown or I may have held out longer. It’s very cartoon style so I’d no concern about violence: Marvel movies are much worse, for example. Neither has had any increased aggression, or struggled with behaviour. By 10/11/12 my dc have all outgrown it (I have 2 older ones) so the 13+ rating would mean never playing.

[LadyEggs]

Mine had it from 8 too. He got frustrated at times but has learnt to manage that (any hint of anger and it goes off). He's now 11 and loves playing with his friends. Personally, I think it is an excellent game. There's no blood, it's absorbing, fun, turn it to your advantage and your son can earn V bucks from you for all sorts.

[Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim]

Me and my son have been playing duos together since he was 8. He also plays solo.

We absolutely dominate we had 4 victories in 1 night :D

I also play solo and have there is nothing there that I would say makes ut unsuitable.

[BCBird]

No. Think it 13 plus. I have noticed a worrying trend where pupils, usually boys, fall asleep.during lessons. They are playing games late into the night. This is something to consider.

[Overshadowed]

Theres also a whole load of games within fortnite which aren’t combat. Mine likes to play den building games and parkour.

[CardiffMam]

I let my son have it at 10 years old during lockdown. It's very addictive and he was quite aggressive and after playing it. We deleted it after a while.

My youngest son is now 9 and I've refused to let him have it even though all his friends are on it. Some of his friends are on it till very late at night and don't want to do anything else.

[FromEden]

I also play solo and enjoy doing the challenges to get xp and go up through the levels. Dd says that's why's it's not cool anymore, it's full of parents now lol. He won't want to play it by the time he hits the recommended age, I would let him try but keep an eye on him and don't let him play for hours on end or anything. And make sure he needs you to buy vbucks so he can't rack up a bill

[Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim]

@BCBird

No. Think it 13 plus. I have noticed a worrying trend where pupils, usually boys, fall asleep.during lessons. They are playing games late into the night. This is something to consider.

That's a parenting fail. Nothing to do with Fortnite.

[TooGosh]

My 9 year old plays it and has no aggressive tendancies. He's an excellent shot and has good strategy when playing with his friends online. I think though it's all about the parental guidance, if they were getting aggressive you'd stop them playing, don't let them play late etc. Some of these comments are ridiculous, playing late isn't Fortnite... You could play Mario Kart late...

[FaazoHuyzeoSix]

I said no for my 9yo. It's a pretty "realistic" not-very-cartoony first person shooter game and I don't think it is suitable for a 9yo. He had it at 12 but by then most of his classmates had given up on it so he never played it much.

[bumpytrumpy]

It's no worse than 12A rated movies in terms of content.

As with anything, many hours per day is not good. But the odd session with friends online isn't going to do any harm (and often takes the attraction away from it). Any sign of bad behaviour or swearing etc and it would be immediately removed.

[bumpytrumpy]

@BCBird

No. Think it 13 plus. I have noticed a worrying trend where pupils, usually boys, fall asleep.during lessons. They are playing games late into the night. This is something to consider.

That's nothing to do with the game. That's poor parenting all round.

[TheOrigRights]

In MN world 9 is too young and you should wait until 13.
In my world my 13yo was done and dusted with fortnite more than a couple of years ago, and he was late to play compared to his peers.

He plays FIFA now.

[Snuzzle]

My DD 8 plays, I wasn't keen at first but she's only allowed to chat with friends and is always in the same room as me when playing so I can keep an eye on her.
Any sign of frustration or anger and it's switched off and she's only allowed to play for a set amount of time every day.

[gamerchick]

Awful game. Turns them into raging ragies. Never known anything like it me.

[Cosycover]

My son has played for years and hasn't changed behaviour at all.