Fortnite - PS4 - 9 year old?

[stellakis]

My 9 year old is desperate for this game, can I ask your opinions please? Thanks!

[DuncanW]

Good question. I too have a 9 yr old who would want this game.

It's fairly violent I think, but rated at age 12 - so you would assume, less so than Tour of Duty, GTA etc - probably more along the lines PG12 rated films such as some of the Star Wars films which I have let my boy watch.

The issue for me is more that it's multi-player with randoms on-line. I think it's anonymised but for me that's still a step too far into the badlands of the web for a 9year old.

[kristymac1]

DuncanW Wrote:

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> The issue for me is more that it's multi-player

> with randoms on-line. I think it's anonymised but

> for me that's still a step too far into the

> badlands of the web for a 9year old.

my son is younger but is already 'aware' of the game - tho' we dont have it and have no intention of getting it (hoping it's run its course by the time he's old enough to want it). My understanding of it is not positive - the playing with randoms is a big no-no but also my friends (with older boys, 9 - 11ish) are beside themselves at the nightmare of limiting game time - apparently the game can't be 'paused' so if you leave you die, cue horrible, angry response from kids.

A recent interview on Channel 4 news https://www.channel4.com/news/is-fortnite-an-addictive-video-game

[E2]

I have an 11 year old and we don?t have it. A lot of his friends have it and spend far too much time on it. I make sure that he is busy playing sport and generally not in front of a screen. There was moaning at first when his friends had the game but even he says that it is all people talk about and it?s boring. Holding out will save you constant arguments about stopping the game in the long run. Have also heard about children being verbally abusive to others through the on line chat.

[stellakis]

Thanks all, really appreciate your comments and links. I?m definitely not giving in, the desire he has to permanently be attached to technology is already too much so hoping to take a step back in general. Wish me luck.

[womanofdulwich]

We used to have a Mon - thurs rule for no screens, and for us no alcohol...

[yeknomyeknom]

I think you should avoid it in all honesty. They may feel a little left out when their friends discuss it, but good friends will change the subject or accept them anyway.

[ad2000]

My 11 year old son plays this so I asked him about the original OP's post.

He said "Its not the game that makes kids angry or addictive - we get addicted to everything. I wouldn't say it was that violent - there are guns but no blood or gore. Its no different from playing in the playground and pretending to shoot each other. Its like Minecraft with guns in a lot of way. You can mute people on the game that you don't know. You can play with friends if you like. I'm 100 percent certain a 9 year old can play it. Its a big part of the future to play online and that's how we learn to be sensible and is a benefit to us"

Anyhoo - thought I'd share that as we had a big chat after reading the post. To be honest he doesn't play it as much as some and it is in the living room so I can see what is going on. He gets a bit bored of it at times so I'm glad he has seen it for himself. I wouldn't ever tell another parent what to do and I respect your decisions. Good luck with this - its a changing world and a mindfield for both the kids and the adults. Your kids are lucky to have parents who have these debates. Keep the faith!