You lose
Fornite issued child safety warning by NSPCC for parents whose kids play hit video game
The charity is urging parents to be vigilant as anyone can use the game's always-on chat features to talk to kids
FORTNITE has been blasted for its violence and predatory voice and text chat features in a new child safety warning from the NSPCC.
The hit battle royale game's popularity with kids, and recent arrival on iPhone, prompted the stark message from the children's charity.
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Fortnite automatically lets users speak to other gamers using built-in voice and text chat functions. This, claims the NSPCC, allows children to be contacted by anyone else playing the game.
While voice chat can be switched off via the settings menu, text chat can't be disabled, adds the charity – making it a potential minefield for kids who could be targeted by sexual predators and paedophiles.
According to fresh research from O2 and the NSPCC, one in four children have been contacted by someone they don't know across some of the most popular apps and games currently out.
Fortnite, which is rated suitable for players aged 12 and up, is also getting a flogging for its cartoon violence, where players can use guns and axes to kill others.
Alas, that's the entire point of Fortnite and other battle royale games like it: 100 gamers fighting to the death on an isolated island using weapons to pick off foes and building structures to keep themselves safe.
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The formula has been a massive success, with Fortnite Battle Royale racking up 40 million downloads across PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
But its achievements have been marred by accusations of adults making sexual remarks to kids over voice chat and claims that the game is dangerously addictive.
The NSPCC and O2 are offering parents the following tips to keep your child safe online:
- Talk to your child regularly about what they are doing online and how to stay safe. Let them know they can come to you or another trusted adult if they’re feeling worried or upset by anything they have seen. You can use the charity's to support you when starting these conversations.
- Explore your child’s online activities together. Understand why they like using certain apps, games or websites and make sure they know what they can do to keep themselves safe.
- Agree your own rules as a family when using sites, apps and games. You can use the NSPCC's template to help you get started.
- Manage your technology and use the privacy and parental control settings available to keep your child safe.
What is Fortnite Battle Royale?
If you're new to the game, here's what you need to know
If you're new to the game, here's what you need to know
- Fortnite Battle Royale is a free game
- It's available on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Mac and now iPhone too
- In the game, up to 100 players are dropped onto a fictional island
- Players are then forced to battle it out in a last-person-standing deathmatch
- To help, players can collect a range of weapons hidden all over the island
- You can also collect resources – like wood, bricks and metal – to build defensive structures
- The area you can play in on the island is constantly shrinking thanks to an encroaching storm
- This means players are forced together over time, until just one person survives
- The game has been a huge hit, and is also available on iPhone
Laura Randall, NSPCC’s associate head of child safety online, said: “Apps, sites, and games such as Fortnite: Battle Royale can be great opportunities for young people to play and engage online.
“However in light of emerging concerns about the risks children could be exposed to, we are urging parents to be aware of Fortnite’s features.
"It’s vital parents have regular conversations with their children about the games they are playing, and how to stay safe online.
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“Anyone looking for further online safety advice can contact the O2 NSPCC online safety helpline on 0808 800 5002 or pop into an O2 store where an O2 Guru can help.”
Do you think kids should be allowed to play Fortnite? Let us know in the comments.
Fortnite season 4 is now here – watch the full announcement trailer for the new update
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