When Apex Legends was released in 2019 it immediately amassed over 25 million players in the first week(Source: CNN). The game’s popularity continues as players all over the world enjoy this multi-player, hero shooter game set in a science-fiction world. The game is often compared to Fortnite but has its own potential dangers that parents need to be aware of.

Apex Legends parent video

What you'll learn in this video lesson

(Click on the three lines or a blue dot in video progress bar to skip to a chapter)

1. What is Apex Legends?
2. Apex Legends statistics
3. Family tips for Apex Legends

What is Apex Legends?

• Apex Legends is an online,  first-person, multi-player,  “hero shooter” video game
• Apex Legends is free to download, but there are opportunities for in-game purchases
• Players choose to play from a list of “legends” with special and unique skills and weapons
• Two modes for Apex Legends:
• ~Arena - 3 vs 3 round-based game mode
• ~Battle Royale - last man standing games with squads of 2 or 3 players
• Fast-paced action with rounds lasting between 20-30 minutes
• Available to play on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Origin or Steam‍
• Apex Legends Mobile is available through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store‍
• Apex Legends was developed by Respawn Entertainment and released  in 2019 by EA

• Apex Legends is rated T-Teen by the ESRB for content that contains:
• ~Violence
• ~Blood
• ~Users Interact
• ~In-Game Purchases

Why do students like to play Apex Legends?

• Friends can team up together to form squads of 2 or 3 and compete against other squads
• Players are able to play together across all supported platforms. So for example, players on Nintendo Switch can play with their friends who are playing on an Xbox
• Students enjoy experimenting with each legend to figure out how to best  utilize their abilities and how they work with other players
• The “ping system” allows players to highlight areas of the map, useful items, and enemy locations to their teammates without talking
• Apex Legends is a popular topic in gaming social media chat apps and websites like Discord and Twitch

Great game, but there is some intense scenes of violence. People are shot, stabbed , and necks are snapped. But its a huge tactical strategy game you have to think before you act and communicate with teammates, overall a great game.

"Q DOG" 13 year old review on Common Sense Media

Apex Legends in the news

A former studio operating chief at Electronic Arts Inc. was trying to peel away her then 10-year-old son from a game of Minecraft. He threw the iPad at her in frustration… She compares part of her job [at Electronic Arts] to a novelist crafting a suspenseful plot or a television writer creating a cliffhanger for the end of an episode. The goal was to ensure the games were hard to put down. 'The more I was able to hook people, bring them into the world, bring something people could escape to—the better I was at that, the more successful I was at my job, she said.

Bloomberg

A mother allowed her 13-year-old son to play Minecraft and Fortnite video games online, which were ‘nonviolent.’ However weeks later, a pop-up came on the computer screen about bestiality involving a young boy. Through her son's Discord account (gamers' chatroom), she found graphic language of sexual acts in every post. Her son's ‘13-year-old’ contact was found to be a man and later arrested as a child predator!

Citrus County Chronicle

Why should parents & educators care?

• Even though it competes with Fortnite, Apex Legends is less cartoonish and some critics argue it is  slightly more violent
• Students can chat with strangers on their squad (not with opponents) while playing and can come across profanity, inappropriate language, or bullying
• Students can spend a lot of money with the in-game purchases to upgrade their skins or weapons
• The developers add new features and play modes every week to entice people to play more

What can parents & educators do?

• Before allowing your student to access a new game, review the ESRB rating, download the game, and spend some time using it for yourself, then determine if the game is safe for your family
• ~Ask your student to teach you about the game and to frequently show you what they enjoy about playing it to help you understand their interests and the dangers
• ~Engage with your students about their progress and ask what skills they used to accomplish each achievement
• If you determine it’s safe for your student to play Apex Legends, work together with your student to set an amount of time to play before they start playing
• ~Consider using a visual timer, like an egg timer or phone timer, to track how much time your child has left to play
• Include time students spend on social media talking about the game or watching others play (Learn more about these popular gaming social media apps: Discord and Twitch)

• If playing on a console, set up the parental control features through the game or gaming system. View these resources for specific recommendations on different devices: 
• ~Xbox 
• ~Playstation
• ~Nintendo
• ~Apple  devices
• ~Android devices
• If playing Apex Legends on a PC or mobile device, set up parental controls through the developer’s  website
• ~Electronic Arts
• Encourage younger students to only join squads with friends, instead of random strangers
• If playing with strangers, turn off chat and only use the “ping” system in the game - this will allow players to communicate without speaking to each other
• ~Teach students to never share personal information, including other social media accounts or email addresses with strangers online or in games
• ~Discuss with your students to never meet up with someone they met online in another (private) messaging app or in-person
• Always monitor your kids during game time - it’s even better when parents play the game with their children
• Keep gaming consoles in a living room/common room so you can easily supervise game time
• Say no to headsets. Headsets leave students vulnerable to connecting with strangers
• Remind your student that if they ever see or hear something that makes them uncomfortable they should talk to a parent or another trusted adult
• Gaming disorder is considered a mental health condition. Look out for any warning signs that your child is addicted to video games:
• ~Impaired control over gaming (e.g. onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context)
• ~Increasing priority is given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities
• ~Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences

Learn more about the pros and cons of video games

Pros and Cons of Video Games as a Family

Learn more about how to balance video game screen time

Balancing Video Game Screen Time

Learn more about Minecraft

Minecraft: Guide for Parents & Educators

Conclusion

Games like Apex Legends can be a fun and exciting way for students to pass time. Although ziplining through jungles and competing with friends to beat other squads is exhilarating, there are dangers and negative side effects to playing these online games.  

Communicating with strangers and exposure to violence and inappropriate language require parents to closely monitor their children while playing this game. We also recommend that parents keep an eye out for any warning signs that they are becoming addicted to gaming.