How to have fun and stay safe on Fortnite this summer

The school summer holidays are almost here, and with lots more free time away from your studies and no more exams, you can do more of the things you enjoy, like playing computer games, and Fortnite Battle Royale might be top of the list of games to play.

But, as with many online games, there are some risks involved while playing Fortnite, so lets take a look at some tips to stay safe IRL whilst getting that Victory Royale.

When is the new Fortnite season?

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 is currently underway and was released on August 7 2025. This season is called Shock 'N Awesome and you can unlock some new skins with the latest Battle Pass, including the Green Power Rangers. This action packed season will run until November 1 2025 when it will be replaced by Chapter 6 Season 5.

How to report online bullying in Fortnite

One of the best things about Fortnite is that you can play online with your friends and other people. While this is often really fun, there is a chance that you might come across hurtful language, prejudice, bullying, swearing, and other things that can be upsetting.

If you are in a situation you feel uncomfortable with, it’s important to talk to someone you trust about this. They will be able to offer you support. Fortnite has a report player option in the in-game menu for reporting misconduct, so you don’t have to put up with any level of abuse or inappropriate contact.

Set a spending limit and watch out for scams

With so many in-game cosmetics available to purchase from the Fortnite Item Shop like skins, emotes, 'brellas and pickaxes, you may be tempted to splurge those V-Bucks. But before you go on a shopping spree, take a look back at your previous purchases – are you still using those items and do they still seem like good value today? This can inform your future purchasing choices.

If you are worried that you might accidentally overspend on the Fortnite Item Shop, then you might want to have a chat with your parents, or guardian, and ask them to set up spending limits in the parental controls section of your account.

If you've unintentionally purchased an item from the Item Shop with V-Bucks, there is a chance you can cancel that item and get a refund, so long as you haven't used it in-game yet. Only Items purchased within the last 24 hours are eligible.

You should also stay clued up on how to keep your account safe and secure from scammers and hackers. You can find some tips about how to stay scam safe here.

Watch your game time

Playing Fortnite could be a fun way to spend your time this summer, but make sure you keep track of how long you've been playing! Dr Sheila Redfern, clinical psychologist from The Anna Freud Centre, told us that you can learn to read the signs that gaming is getting too much and it’s time to do something else. Dr Redfern said, "If you feel yourself getting angry, stressed, irritable or anxious this could be a sign that you need to take a break."

We've got plenty of suggestions of alternative ways to spend your time during the holidays in our A-Z summer 2025 bucket list. From free festivals to pizza parties, there is bound to be something on our list to take you out of the game and bring you back to reality!

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.