My 4th grader has been begging me to play Fortnite. He's a good kid, does well in school, involved in extacurriculars - I don't want to automatically shut him down but want to give it a fair consideration. Other than the obvious (gun violence), what other factors should I be considering when deciding whether he should be allowed to play? Thanks!
There was a lot of great info about the game in response to this question here:
https://www.mamapedia.com/questions/15078253969430347777
While many kids play it, it's rated T for teens (age 13 and up).
There's an in game chat - so your child will be exposed to some mature language.
https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/tween-and-teen/what-par...
I didn't want our son online in elementary school (although this game didn't exist when he was in 4th grade).
There are other game alternatives.
https://www.fractuslearning.com/most-popular-video-games-...
What ever you decide to let him play - lay down some ground rules before he starts.
Games are a privilege - not a right.
He has to constantly earn his perks with good behavior - homework and chores done before any recreational stuff starts.
If he doesn't earn his game playing time - then he doesn't get any.
"The quickest way to fun is to get the work done" - cross stitch it and hang it on your wall.
Also - it's really easy to get addicted to playing.
Establish how long he can play (during school week, on weekends, over holidays, summer, etc).
When his computer game time is up it needs to get turned off.
Keep the computer in public areas of the house to you can see what he's doing.
Don't let him keep it in his room.
Kids are only kids for a short time.
They have their whole lives to sit in front of a computer for college and work.
Now is their time to run, play outside, climb trees, ride a bike, etc.
Start some good habits for keeping him moving by limiting his screen time.
In game chat can be a concern. As with any online game that uses a chat interface, your son might learn some newswaet words (at best) but is also at risk of being cyber-bullied or contacted by predators. You have to be really open and blunt with him about this stuff. You can turn the chat off, but you'll need to supervise to make sure it stays off.
He is below the age rating so I suggest limiting time in terms of rounds played rather than by-the-clock This isn't the kind of game you can just save and walk away from at any time.
The other big thing to consider is that it has a chat function. So, there is the opportunity for your child to interact with strangers on the internet.
If you are ok with the gun violence. If you've had lots of concrete discussions with your child about strangers on the internet, how to interact with them, specifically what things NOT to say. If he doesn't spend a lot of time in front of screens already. Then I don't have a problem with this game for a 4th grader. They can play with their friends and they have a really good time with it.
My personal problem is it is the game that never ends. There is always the next campaign lining up to start...it is hard to stop when your friends (both my kids have multiple friends and cousins that we have linked up through xbox live and they can chat live in their own chat room. No one else is allowed to join the chat and if they do we block them.) Anyways when your friends or cousins in a different time zone don't have to stop for dinner or bedtime it is harder to stop playing.
In Fortnite there is always that next game lining up. In some of the other games we have they keep playing but it isn't something you can't catch up on later on your own or with other players. For me I have said no to Fortnite. (And that is the reason.)
One of mine (high school teen) finally got around to playing it. I watched it.
Good points made below. It can be fun - a pediatrician we know is hooked.
Here's the thing. When our oldest was around 4th grade, there was some kind of game that involved gangs and cars I think it was. My husband just played it to get a sense of what was involved. Sometimes that's what you have to do to know what your kids will be exposed to. Play it with your kid. I think that's the best advice I can offer.
Sometimes there's even a version for kids (not as graphic) etc. with some of these games. I don't think that's the case with fortnite but with some others - sometimes it is. The chat feature is definitely something to watch for too.
I allow my 3rd grader to play. I have turned off chat for those that aren't friends of his and that has kept him from talking to strangers since I have to approve friend requests. He prefers sports games but since not many of his friends play them, if he wants to play with his friend group online, it's normally this game. On his own, he never plays it first.
A close friend plays with her 2nd and 5th grade kids daily. She can't say enough good things about the game. My kids have never asked to play. They are all about Diablo at the moment.
Updated
A close friend plays with her 2nd and 5th grade kids daily. She can't say enough good things about the game. My kids have never asked to play. They are all about Diablo at the moment.
My daughter is 7 and in 2nd grade. Both of my older boys (16 and 13) play this game A LOT (in fact it is being played behind me as I type this). My daughter really wanted to play too. So I let her. There's shooting, but no blood. I DO NOT let them connect and talk to/hear other people...way too much cursing for that. She just plays one on one with her brothers or their friends. Truthfully, she gets bored pretty quickly and doesn't play that often.
