eSAFETY GUIDE

Fortnite

No minimum age according to Fortnite (parental consent is required for under-13s)
+ No minimum age according to Fortnite (parental consent is required for under-13s)

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is an online gaming platform that hosts many different games called ‘islands’. Some games are made by Fortnite’s game developer, Epic Games, and other games are made by independent creators. Fortnite was originally released in 2017 as a single game called ‘Fortnite: Battle Royale’, which is still the most well-known part of Fortnite. When people say ‘Fortnite’, they are often referring to this game.

Fortnite: Battle Royale is a third-person shooter game. This means players see their character on screen as if they are observing them from behind and the main activity is to use weapons (like guns or bows) to shoot enemies. In the game, up to 100 players drop onto an island, scavenge for weapons, and build structures. The goal is to defeat other players and be the last person or team standing.

Fortnite uses an in-game currency called V-Bucks. V-Bucks can be purchased with real money or earned through gameplay. Players use V-Bucks to buy items in the game. These include:

  • Skins that change the appearance of your character. For example, a character might look like a regular person, an animal, or a well-known character or celebrity, depending on what skin they have used.
  • Wraps, which change the appearance of weapons or vehicles.
  • Emotes, which are actions or dances your character can perform.

Fortnite also offers a Battle Pass – a one-off purchase per ‘Fortnite season’ that gives players extra rewards as they play during a season. These usually last between two to three months.

Fortnite includes social features that allow players to interact with others. Players can use voice chat to talk via their microphones, or send messages via text chat. Players can add other players to their friends list. Players can also create or join a ‘party’, which is a private group where players play and chat together. If you are a parent or carer, you can use an Epic Games account to manage your child’s online social interactions across the account. For example, you can limit who your child can talk to or turn off friend requests.

Fortnite hosts different types of events. Some are competitive gaming events where players are ranked and may receive prizes or in-game rewards. They also host many non-gameplay related promotional events, for example, virtual concerts with real-world singers. Performers such as Metallica, Travis Scott and Ariana Grande have actively collaborated with Fortnite, recording vocals and music specifically for these events. Players can then log into Fortnite at a scheduled time and watch the concert together inside the game.

Fortnite is an online cross-platform game, meaning players who are using gaming consoles, PCs, iPhones and iPads can all be connected when they’re playing online. Fortnite is also a popular metaverse platform.

Website: www.epicgames.com/fortnite
Apps: Android

How do people use Fortnite?

Lean more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use online games like Fortnite.

Fortnite is used for: gaming, immersive tech, in-app purchasing, messaging/online chat, online relationships, screen capture and voice chat. 

How can you report online abuse or block someone?

These links are provided by Epic Games:

How can you protect your personal information?

This link is provided by Epic Games:

  • Protect your account 
    Learn how to make your account as secure as possible and what to do if your account has been hacked or breached.

Key safety links

These links are provided by Epic Games:

  • Code of conduct 
    Learn more about the expected behaviour from players of Fortnite.
  • Support centre
    Offers a range of general help, safety and security information.
  • Privacy policy 
    Outlines Fortnite Battle Royale’s privacy policy guidelines.
  • Cabined Accounts
    Provide a safer inclusive experience for young people. A Cabined Account requires parent/guardian consent to access certain features.

Social media changes

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms are not allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account.

Find out more at eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub.

About The eSafety Guide

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews, endorsements or assessments against any legislative definition by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parents, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and apps and mental wellbeing resources for families.