There’s a song of the summer and a video game of the fall, and this year the trend is fortnite, the online free-for-all that everyone from rapper Drake to Los Angeles Laker Josh Hart seems to be playing. But what is fortnite, how does it work and what are the risks?

Created by Epic Games, fortnite is a multiplayer platform where up to 100 players battle each other. The main mode, Battle Royale, is a player-versus-environment game in which players drop into an island and search for weapons and other resources while trying to survive in an ever-shrinking safe zone. Players can team up or play solo, and a building system lets them construct structures in the game’s world.

Although the game has a reputation for mild violence, the scenes are cartoonish and there is no blood shown. It’s rated 12+ by PEGI, but the popularity of the game means many children younger than that are playing.

Fortnite also has an unmoderated chat function, which puts kids at risk of exposure to inappropriate language and bullying. There are ways to monitor this, including using the in-game feedback tool and contacting the developers at Epic Games directly. Parents can also report suspected child abuse to CEOP, which helps protect young people from sexual exploitation and other types of harm.

The most recent version of fortnite, released in September 2022, has added new features to the battle royale experience. In addition to the popular mode, there is now a Creative Mode that allows players to build and play mini-games in a limited space. The game is also expanding into other forms of entertainment, such as a live event series featuring hero characters and professional gamers.

While there are many benefits to fortnite, it’s important to set ground rules about when and how long kids can play, especially if they’re spending time in front of the screen. The game can be highly addictive, and kids often have trouble breaking a session if they’re having fun. This can lead to over-playing, which can have serious health implications. It’s also easy for gaming to interfere with school and other activities, which can be a problem for some kids. Some families find success by setting a gaming timer or by encouraging their children to follow these tips for finding a balance between gaming and other activities.