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Is Minecraft Appropriate for Kids?
The content descriptor for fantasy violence in Minecraft’s E10 (Everyone 10) rating is present. Additionally, it has interactive elements that allow users to interact, in-game purchases that allow players to use real money to buy in-game currency or items, and the option for online communication.
Minecraft does not have violent or gory content in-game. While players can kill non-threatening animals for food sources, these displays are not glorified, and enemies and other creatures will simply vanish when defeated. Blocky and cartoonish tools like pickaxes and dynamite are used to destroy the environment and enemies. Players can respawn after dying from the elements in survival mode, but these deaths aren’t shown and include starvation, burning, drowning, falling, being attacked by hostile creatures, among other outcomes.
Additionally, players can join private servers that have been created by unaffiliated community members and are not governed or supervised by Mojang Studios. Some users who parents may not be familiar with may use servers. Players can “block” or “mute” other players who bother them. However, some servers, which are each a player’s “world,” are configured by their host to permit more explicit or objectionable content subject to the particular community guidelines they establish. Many servers are configured by default to censor profanity in text chat. Although voice chat is not supported in the game, users can still chat while playing on other platforms like Discord.
To check if the user base is appropriate, parents should keep an eye on the servers their kids are using. Another option is to set up a Minecraft Realm for your children, which lets you control who is allowed to enter and who is not. Microsoft parental controls also let parents create a child account to control online interactions across a variety of Windows PC and Xbox games, not just Minecraft.
Differentiating Versions of Minecraft
There are two versions of the game: Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition. The platforms on which these two are made available represent their primary distinction. While Bedrock is available on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire OS/TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, and Samsung Gear VR, Java Edition is only available on PC, Mac, and Linux computers. If your child plays Minecraft on a PC and wants to play with their friends online, it’s important to find out which version their friends use since players using the Java Edition cannot play with players using the Bedrock Edition.
There are a number of other differences between the two versions, including how players access user-created “mods” or downloadable content like skins and maps for the game. In the Bedrock Edition, mods are curated and only accessible in the Minecraft Marketplace, which means the quality will likely be more limited but consistent. The Bedrock Edition enables cross-play across a much broader variety of platforms, whereas the Java Edition is limited to playing with other PC users. You can find more on the differences between Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition here and here.
How Much Does Minecraft Cost?
Almost every modern console, smartphone, tablet, and computer can play Minecraft, but the cost of the game varies depending on which platforms your kids use.
Regardless of the version, “Minecoins” (Minecraft’s in-game currency) can be used to purchase add-ons and skins in the Minecraft Marketplace. Note that any add-ons are completely optional, and the game is playable without needing to make any additional purchases. Minecoins aren’t available for purchase on all platforms, so it may not even be applicable in your home. You can find more about where Minecoins are available here.
Keep in mind that parental controls on all gaming devices let you restrict or limit the ability to make in-game purchases. You can access the ESRB’s step-by-step parental control instructions at ParentalTools in addition to setting restrictions on in-game purchases. To control what your children play, with whom, and for how long, visit org.
Using Minecraft in Schools
Minecraft also has a special version created specifically to facilitate learning in a fun and engaging way. Minecraft: Education Edition is built to help kids learn things like collaboration, creative problem-solving, STEM skills, and more! It’s available for free for anyone with an Office 365 Education account. If you (or your kids’ school) aren’t eligible you can still try Education Edition with a free Hour of Code.
Patricia E. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is presided over by Vance. She oversees teams that assign age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforce marketing policies adopted by the video game industry, and run ESRB Privacy Certified, a COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program that is approved by the FTC.
10 Things Parents Need to Know About Minecraft
FAQ
What parents should know about Minecraft?
The “Entertaining Software Rating Board” (ESRB) states that users 10 and older can use Minecraft. The ESRB claims that this rating was given due to its “Fantasy Violence” because “players can engage in violent acts like setting animals on fire and harming them with weapons.”
Is there anything inappropriate in Minecraft?
Regardless of the rating system you use, Minecraft is not advised for children under the age of five, so you might want to wait before playing. Although it’s a fantastic game to inspire kids to be creative, 5-year-olds might become frustrated.
Is Minecraft OK for a 5 year old?
Features for enhancing player safety in MinecraftParental controls in your Xbox account settings let parents turn off the multiplayer and chat functions for child accounts. You can view every player on the server, hide their chat messages, and block them using your Microsoft account, all from the Social Interactions screen.
