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NSPCC Scotland and O2 issue advice for Fortnite: Battle Royale<\/b><\/p>\n
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The NSPCC and O2 have launched new advice for parents of young people playing the multiplayer action survival game Fortnite: Battle Royale.<\/p>\n
It comes amid concerns over a function in Fortnite which automatically allows users to speak to other players through voice and text chat functions. It means children can be contacted by anyone else who is playing the game.<\/p>\n
Users can disable voice chat in the game via the setting menu, but the text chat function cannot be turned off. Research from NSPCC and O2 this week reveals that that one in four children have been contacted online by someone they don\u2019t know. The research is\u00a0based on reviews by children and parents\u00a0of the most popular apps, sites and games currently on the market, featured on the Net Aware app and website.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s Net Aware advice on Fortnite warns parents the game features cartoon violence, where players can use a variety of weapons, such as guns and axes, to kill other players, despite being rated as suitable for players aged 12+ by The App Store.<\/p>\n
The NSPCC and O2 are offering parents the following advice:<\/p>\n
Laura Randall, NSPCC\u2019s associate head of child safety online, said \u201cApps, sites, and games such as Fortnite: Battle Royale can be great opportunities for young people to play and engage online.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, in light of emerging concerns about the risks children could be exposed to, we are urging parents to be aware of Fortnite\u2019s features. It is vital parents have regular conversations with their children about the games they are playing, and how to stay safe online.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone looking for further online safety advice can contact the O2 NSPCC online safety helpline on 0808 800 5002 or pop into an O2 store where an O2 Guru can help.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Net Aware app can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. It can also be accessed online at\u00a0www.net-aware.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n ABOUT FORTNITE: BATTLE ROYALE<\/b><\/p>\n Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite: Battle Royale, says it does not direct the game to children under the age of 13 in the UK.<\/p>\n The PEGI rating for Fortnite: Battle Royale is 12-years-old. However, PEGI does not take chat features into consideration when rating games. You can find out more about age ratings\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The App Store says that users must be 12+ to play.<\/p>\n Players can add friends in the mobile game if they have an account with Epic, the game\u2019s developer. Friends can be added by username in the game\u2019s main menu.<\/p>\n There is a chat feature in the game that allows users to contact each other using voice or text. You can disable voice chat in the game by selecting the 3 lines in the top right of the screen, select the settings icon, choose the \u2018Audio\u2019 tab at the top of the screen and go to the \u2018Voice Chat\u2019 option, where you can select \u2018Off\u2019.<\/p>\n There is cartoon violence in the game. You can use a variety of weapons to kill other players, such as guns and axes.<\/p>\n There are in-app purchases, which can become expensive.<\/p>\n Players can be reported to the\u00a0Player Support team<\/a>\u00a0if you are concerned about activity or behaviour.<\/p>\n About Net Aware<\/p>\n NetAware.org.uk is the NSPCC and O2 guide to 40 of the most popular sites, apps and games currently on the market based on reviews by both children and parents.<\/p>\n The Net Aware guide is free to access at\u00a0www.net-aware.org.uk<\/a>\u00a0or to download as an app from the Apple Store or Google Play.<\/p>\n The guide is part of a landmark partnership between O2 and the NSPCC designed to ensure parents can access the practical advice and support they need to help their children stay safe online.<\/p>\n O2 and the NSPCC provide free expert advice to parents via their Online Safety Helpline on 0808 800 5002 and through face to face advice from O2\u2019s Gurus in O2 stores across the UK.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NSPCC Scotland and O2 issue advice for Fortnite: Battle Royale The NSPCC and O2 have launched new advice for parents of young people playing the multiplayer action survival game Fortnite: Battle Royale. It comes amid concerns over a function in Fortnite which automatically allows users to speak to other players through voice and text chat … Continue reading NSPCC Scotland and O2 issue advice for Fortnite: Battle Royale<\/span>