Epic Games has introduced a new time limit feature in its parental control settings for popular games like Fortnite, addressing concerns over excessive gaming among children. This move is part of the company’s broader initiative to provide parents with better tools to manage their children’s gaming habits.
The new feature, called “Time Limit Controls,” allows parents to set specific time windows for their children’s gameplay. Accessible through the Parental Controls section in the Fortnite main menu or via the web, parents can now limit the total daily playtime, choose specific time windows, and decide if their child can request additional time as they approach their limit.
Setting Up Time Limits
Parents need to sign into their child’s account through Epic’s Account Portal to set up these controls. They can establish daily time limits and specific play windows. For example, a parent might allow two hours of play daily between 4 PM and 6 PM. In-game notifications will alert the child when they have 30 minutes left, and the game will become inaccessible once the time is up unless more time is granted by the parent.
This feature responds to growing concerns about the impact of prolonged gaming on children’s health and well-being. By setting these limits, parents can ensure a balanced lifestyle for their children, incorporating time for homework, physical activities, and family interactions. It also helps manage screen time and prevent gaming addiction, a rising issue among young gamers.
Additional Parental Control Features
Epic Games has also introduced “Time Reports,” providing parents with a detailed breakdown of their child’s gaming activity. Accessible through the Account Portal, the dashboard shows daily time spent in Fortnite and Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), including instances when extra time was granted. This transparency helps parents monitor and manage their child’s gaming habits more effectively.
These controls work seamlessly across all devices. As long as the child uses the same account, the time limits will apply regardless of the device they are playing on. This cross-platform functionality ensures consistent enforcement of the set limits in today’s multi-device gaming environment.
Epic Games’ new parental control features mark a significant step towards responsible gaming. By empowering parents with tools to manage their children’s gaming time, Epic Games addresses a critical need in the gaming community. As gaming remains a popular pastime among children, such measures are essential to ensure it remains a healthy and balanced activity.
