Like Super Mario Bros, Sonic the Hedgehog and Pokémon before it, Fortnite is one of those video games that’s carved out a place in more mainstream pop culture, beyond consoles and computers. You’ll almost inevitably have seen Fortnite-branded merchandise, from clothing to backpacks to action figures – while the developers, Epic, are reportedly exploring film and TV options.
This welter of spin-off products and media projects suggests (not inaccurately) that Fortnite’s fan-base tends toward the younger end of the age spectrum. This, as our #WakeUpWednesday guide points out, entails parents and carers keeping a watchful eye open for hazards including phishing scams, expensive in-game purchases and inappropriate language over Fortnite’s audio chat.
As of January this year, Fortnite was registering as the second most-played video game by pre-teens in the US, ahead of Minecraft and closely behind Roblox. Consider also that one in five (22%) Fortnite fans devotes a minimum of 10 hours per week to the game, and that 77% of Fortnite players have made at least one in-game purchase. Clearly, habitual repeated Fortnite marathons and the likelihood of spending actual money on that ‘must-have’ new weapon or outfit are among the most frequent risks for young gamers. As this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide outlines, however, those aren’t the only potential hazards in Fortnite that that trusted adults need to be mindful of.
