Fortnite parental controls, set up properly
Fortnite’s controls work in two layers: settings on the Epic Games account, which follow your child across every device, and the parental controls on the console itself, which sit on top. Under-13s get a restricted account automatically. Here is how to set both layers up.
Cost
Free, built into Fortnite
Key controls
Voice and text chat, purchases, playtime reports
Age rating
PEGI 12
Two layers
Epic account settings, plus your console’s controls
Set Up Fortnite Parental Controls
Epic account settings apply everywhere your child plays; console controls add a second layer.
Steps:
- 1Open the menu in Fortnite and choose Parental Controls, or manage them from the Epic Games account online.
- 2Confirm a parent email and set the six-digit PIN that protects the settings.
- 3Set voice chat and text chat permissions: off, friends only, or wider.
- 4Turn on purchase approvals so V-Bucks and item shop spending need your say-so.
- 5Enable weekly playtime reports if you want an emailed summary of time played.
- 6Set the matching controls on the console itself (PlayStation, Xbox or Switch) so the two layers back each other up.
Tip:
For a child under 13, Epic automatically creates a restricted account with voice chat, text chat and purchases off until a parent gives consent, so the safe defaults are already on. Your job is mainly to decide what to switch on.
What it covers, and what it does not
Epic’s controls cover chat, purchases and reporting inside Fortnite on every platform. They do not control total screen time; that lives in your console or device settings, which is exactly why the two layers matter.
Worth knowing
Fortnite is rated PEGI 12, mainly for its cartoon-style violence and the open interaction with other players. The controls above deal with the interaction part; whether the game suits a younger child is a judgement call the rating can help you make.
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
Last reviewed: August 2026. Providers and platforms change their settings screens often, so if a step looks different, the official help page linked above has the latest wording.