Thinking of getting Minecraft for kids? Before you do, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into — especially if you’ve just learned about the game.
So here’s the lowdown. Minecraft is a wildly popular video game that transports kids to a pixelated world where they can explore and build incredible things. Players can play solo, or they can enter a world and play with or against other players from all over the planet.
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Minecraft at a Glance
- Created in 2009
- Fully released to the public in 2011
- Purchased by Microsoft for $2.5 billion
- Over 300 million copies sold
- Over 140 million monthly active users
- Available to play on consoles, phones, tablets, and computers
Why Parents Should Be Concerned About Minecraft
If you’re thinking of buying Minecraft for kids, it’s important to know that the game comes with risks. Before we get into them, let’s look at the different modes available to play:
- Survival Mode. The way the game was meant to be played. You need to source rare materials, armor, and weapons to survive and thrive in the game.
- Creative Mode. You’re essentially invincible, but there really isn’t any defined goal in the game.
- Multiplayer Mode. It’s Minecraft, but with other players from around the world.
Now that you understand the modes that your kids may be interested in, it’s time to find out is Minecraft safe for kids. Unfortunately, we don’t think you’ll like the answer. Here are 5 reasons why you need to be concerned.
It can be incredibly addictive
Not every Minecraft parents guide will tell you this, but the video game can be super addictive. If you have a tough time pulling the iPad away from your kids or getting them to step away from the TV to do their homework, you can expect the same behavior with Minecraft.
There’s a potential for violence
On the surface, you might not think that you need to worry about Minecraft appropriate age requirements. After all, if they’re playing in Peaceful mode, and they’re not engaging in multiplayer gaming, things should be relatively calm. But if they’ve joined a 3rd party Minecraft server, things can get out of control.
They can chat with strangers
Ask anyone what parents need to know about Minecraft and they’ll tell you that you need to beware of chatting. Like many video games, Minecraft lets kids chat with other kids. And since young minds are impressionable, it’s important to know what they’re talking about and who’s talking to them.
There’s a possibility of predators
How old do you need to be to play Minecraft? Parents often make the call themselves, but experts agree that kids shouldn’t play if they’re younger than 8 years old. But it’s not necessarily the minimum age you need to worry about. It’s the maximum age — as in that there isn’t one.
While Minecraft is geared towards kids, adults enjoy it too. And while there’s nothing wrong with an adult playing video games, the truth is that predators are everywhere on the Internet.
Issues extend beyond the game
Kids who love Minecraft don’t just play the game and call it a day. They eat, sleep, and breath pixelated boxes. And that includes watching TikToks or YouTube videos about the game play. If your kids have subscribed to certain channels, it’s easy for them to connect with strangers outside of the Minecraft world. Be careful.
How to Protect Your Kids While They Play Minecraft
If your kids are online, you need a parental control app. Consider Eyezy. The monitoring app lets you see what they’re up to on their phone. Here’s what you can do with Eyezy as soon as you install it:
- See what apps they’ve installed
- Understand how much time they’re spending in an app
- Read their private text messages and chats on social media apps
- Browse through their inbox
- See the photos and pics they’ve saved on their phone
- Find out who they’ve called (and who called them)
- And so much more
With Eyezy, you can get a better understanding of your kids’ online behavior. If they’re having conversations with people they’ve met on Minecraft, you’ll know about it. Eyezy can even detect when they type or search for certain words, and then alert you.
It’s a great app for staying informed — and it can help you feel better about the time they spend on Minecraft.
