Fortnite & Minecraft: the parent’s guide
Two of the three biggest games on Earth for kids. Here’s every setting that matters.
Fortnite and Minecraft are two of the biggest games in the world for children, and they need different handling. Fortnite is free-to-play and rated 12+ by most boards, where the main concerns are voice chat with strangers in squad modes, V-Bucks scams and battle-pass pressure. Minecraft comes in two versions, Java and Bedrock, and both are broadly safe once multiplayer and chat are configured for the version you actually own.
Each game also has a guide of its own here, and they go further than this page does: Minecraft parental controls, Epic Games and Fortnite, and Roblox. Use this page to work out which of the three you are dealing with and what they have in common; use those for the actual settings.
Fortnite
Free-to-play on every platform. Rated 12+ by most rating boards. Primary concerns for parents:
- Voice chat with strangers in squad modes.
- V-Bucks scams via fake “generator” sites.
- Battle Pass FOMO — time-limited unlocks that pressure kids to play daily.
- Cross-play with older players unless you limit it.
Fortnite settings worth changing
- Epic Games account › Parental Controls — set PIN.
- Voice chat: friends only, or off.
- Text chat: nearby only, or off.
- Purchase restrictions: require PIN for every purchase.
- Friend requests: default to nobody (approve individually).
Minecraft
Comes in two flavors: Java (PC, more technical, free of in-app purchases once bought) and Bedrock (consoles, mobile, the Microsoft ecosystem). Both are broadly safe if you configure the multiplayer side.
Minecraft settings worth changing
- Realms are private servers you pay for — safest for friend groups.
- Featured servers on Bedrock (Hypixel, CubeCraft, Mineplex) are generally moderated but allow public chat and friend requests — grooming has happened here.
- Third-party Java servers vary wildly in moderation. For young kids, restrict to whitelisted servers or Realms only.
- Xbox Family Group controls apply on Bedrock. Set “Multiplayer in Minecraft” based on age.
Roblox
See our dedicated Roblox guide.
Common scams across all three
- “Free V-Bucks / Robux / skins” links — always a scam.
- Fake giveaways in in-game chat.
- Phishing Discord servers linked from in-game whispers.
- Trade scams: show a valuable item, then swap at the last second.
What was checked, and when. Its scope against the deeper per-game guides verified against the vendor’s own documentation on 2026-09-08. Not reached in that pass: the in-game setting paths.
Common questions
Which Fortnite settings matter most?
Set a PIN under Epic Games account › Parental Controls, then voice chat to friends-only or off, text chat to nearby-only or off, friend requests defaulting to nobody and approved individually, and a PIN required for every purchase.
Why does my child insist on playing Fortnite every day?
The Battle Pass. Time-limited unlocks create genuine fear of missing out and are designed to pressure daily play. Naming that mechanic out loud tends to work better than arguing about the time itself.
Is Minecraft safe?
Broadly yes, once the multiplayer side is configured. Realms — private servers you pay for — are the safest option for friend groups. Featured Bedrock servers such as Hypixel and CubeCraft are moderated but allow public chat and friend requests, and grooming has happened there. Third-party Java servers vary enormously in moderation.
What is the difference between Minecraft Java and Bedrock?
Java runs on PC, is more technical, and has no in-app purchases once bought. Bedrock covers consoles and mobile within the Microsoft ecosystem, which means Xbox Family Group controls apply — set “Multiplayer in Minecraft” according to your child’s age.
Which scams appear across all these games?
Free-currency links for V-Bucks, Robux or skins, which are always scams; fake giveaways in in-game chat; phishing Discord servers linked from in-game whispers; and trade scams where a valuable item is shown and swapped at the last second.
When parental controls change
The controls behind this change more often than the advice does. Roughly monthly we send new guides, changes to controls like these, and scams worth knowing about.
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