The open-world sandbox game is filled with the kind of exploration, creation, and community that appeal to adults and children alike. Odds are you’ve been hearing about Minecraft for quite some time. Maybe you’ve learned a lot about it through your kids, or maybe you’re just getting acquainted with it now. Either way, if you’re wondering about what more you need to know about the risks and rewards of your child playing Minecraft, read on.

What is Minecraft?

At its core, Minecraft is a game where players place blocks and go on adventures. This includes anything from crafting simple items like containers or weapons, to building structures like houses, castles, and cities, or even making complex mechanical devices, all within the game’s world. Think of it like an endless world of complex, programmable LEGOs that allows players to imagine, design, and create anything they dream up.

Gameplay in Minecraft is split into two different modes: Survival mode and creative mode.

Survival mode is almost like a campaign, where players must forage for food and fend off incoming enemies with various weapons such as swords or pickaxes. Players have to be resourceful when exploring their environment, as they could be attacked by mobs of threatening creatures (such as the iconic Creeper).

The ultimate goal is to use materials to build equipment and structures like houses or gardens to stay safe from the elements. Unlike many similar games, the path to victory is entirely up to the player. The open-world structure invites many different playstyles and encourages experimentation and exploration when dealing with the crafting mechanic. For those that want a structured challenge, the Ender Dragon is the main threat within this mode, and players can try and vanquish it, though it’s not an easy task!

Creative mode offers a more open-ended experience, where players do not have to worry about hunger, health, or being attacked by enemies. In creative mode, players can fly and have access to an unlimited amount of in-game resources. With a full arsenal of materials to use, players create and explore to their heart’s content. Some players opt to create simple structures, while others create vast works of art and engineering. The possibilities are endless!

Is Minecraft Appropriate for Kids?

Minecraft is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) with a Content Descriptor for Fantasy Violence. It also has Interactive Elements for Users Interact (meaning players can communicate online if they choose) and In-Game Purchases (meaning the game offers the ability to exchange real-world currency for in-game currency or items).

Minecraft does not have violent or gory content in the base game. Enemies and other creatures will simply vanish when defeated, and while players can kill non-threatening animals for food sources, these displays are not glorified. That said, the ability to create and share content means that some other users may publicly share content that your kids may not be ready to engage with. Fortunately, there are parental controls available to help manage (block, limit, etc.) access to user-created content.

Materials like pickaxes and dynamite are used to explode terrain and enemies, but these are blocky and cartoony in nature. In survival mode, players can perish from starvation, burning, drowning, falling, or being attacked by hostile creatures, among other fates; however, these aren’t shown, and players can simply respawn after succumbing to the elements.

Community Features

Players can also join private servers that are set up by independent members of the community and are not controlled or moderated by Mojang Studios. Servers may host some users with whom parents may not be familiar. Players can “block” or “mute” other players who bother them. Many servers are set up by default to censor profanity in text chat; however, some servers – which is an individual player’s “world” – are set up by their host to allow more explicit or objectionable content subject to the specific community guidelines they establish. Voice chat is not available in the PC version of the game, but players can use other platforms like Discord to chat while playing. Meanwhile, those playing on game console platforms, like Xbox and PlayStation, do have access to in-game voice chat. Of course, you can block or limit with whom your kids’ can communicate via parental controls.

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate. You can also create a private server for your kids called a Minecraft Realm, which allows you to individually approve or deny who is permitted to enter. Microsoft parental controls also enable parents to set up a child account to manage online communications, not just in Minecraft but in other Windows PC and Xbox games.

You can find step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Differentiating Versions of Minecraft

You may notice that there are two different versions: Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition. The major difference between these versions hinges on the platforms on which they are available. Java Edition is available on PC, Mac, and Linux computers, whereas Bedrock is available on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire OS/TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, and Samsung Gear VR. Players using the Java Edition cannot play with players using the Bedrock Edition, so if your child plays Minecraft on a PC and wants to play with their friends online, it would be important to find out which version their friends use.

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate.

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?

Minecraft is available for almost every modern console, smartphone, tablet, and computer, but the price of the game differs depending upon the 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.

Remember that all gaming devices have parental controls that allow you to restrict or limit the ability to make in-game purchases. Remember to visit ESRB’s step-by-step parental control guides at ParentalTools.org to help manage how much your kids can spend on new games and in-game purchases, which games your kids can play, with whom, and when/for how long they can play.

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! Education Edition has also been evolving into creating lessons to help kids better navigate online environments. This includes how they can stay safe online and to help teach them how to keep their personal information private.

Minecraft: Education Edition is 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. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Minecraft appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

The open-world sandbox game is filled with the kind of exploration, creation, and community that appeal to adults and children alike. Odds are you’ve been hearing about Minecraft for quite some time. Maybe you’ve learned a lot about it through your kids, or maybe you’re just getting acquainted with it now. Either way, if you’re wondering about what more you need to know about the risks and rewards of your child playing Minecraft, read on.

What is Minecraft?

At its core, Minecraft is a game where players place blocks and go on adventures. This includes anything from crafting simple items like containers or weapons, to building structures like houses, castles, and cities, or even making complex mechanical devices, all within the game’s world. Think of it like an endless world of complex, programmable LEGOs that allows players to imagine, design, and create anything they dream up.

Gameplay in Minecraft is split into two different modes: Survival mode and creative mode.

Survival mode is almost like a campaign, where players must forage for food and fend off incoming enemies with various weapons such as swords or pickaxes. Players have to be resourceful when exploring their environment, as they could be attacked by mobs of threatening creatures (such as the iconic Creeper).

The ultimate goal is to use materials to build equipment and structures like houses or gardens to stay safe from the elements. Unlike many similar games, the path to victory is entirely up to the player. The open-world structure invites many different playstyles and encourages experimentation and exploration when dealing with the crafting mechanic. For those that want a structured challenge, the Ender Dragon is the main threat within this mode, and players can try and vanquish it, though it’s not an easy task!

Creative mode offers a more open-ended experience, where players do not have to worry about hunger, health, or being attacked by enemies. In creative mode, players can fly and have access to an unlimited amount of in-game resources. With a full arsenal of materials to use, players create and explore to their heart’s content. Some players opt to create simple structures, while others create vast works of art and engineering. The possibilities are endless!

Is Minecraft Appropriate for Kids?

Minecraft is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) with a Content Descriptor for Fantasy Violence. It also has Interactive Elements for Users Interact (meaning players can communicate online if they choose) and In-Game Purchases (meaning the game offers the ability to exchange real-world currency for in-game currency or items).

Minecraft does not have violent or gory content in the base game. Enemies and other creatures will simply vanish when defeated, and while players can kill non-threatening animals for food sources, these displays are not glorified. That said, the ability to create and share content means that some other users may publicly share content that your kids may not be ready to engage with. Fortunately, there are parental controls available to help manage (block, limit, etc.) access to user-created content.

Materials like pickaxes and dynamite are used to explode terrain and enemies, but these are blocky and cartoony in nature. In survival mode, players can perish from starvation, burning, drowning, falling, or being attacked by hostile creatures, among other fates; however, these aren’t shown, and players can simply respawn after succumbing to the elements.

Community Features

Players can also join private servers that are set up by independent members of the community and are not controlled or moderated by Mojang Studios. Servers may host some users with whom parents may not be familiar. Players can “block” or “mute” other players who bother them. Many servers are set up by default to censor profanity in text chat; however, some servers – which is an individual player’s “world” – are set up by their host to allow more explicit or objectionable content subject to the specific community guidelines they establish. Voice chat is not available in the PC version of the game, but players can use other platforms like Discord to chat while playing. Meanwhile, those playing on game console platforms, like Xbox and PlayStation, do have access to in-game voice chat. Of course, you can block or limit with whom your kids’ can communicate via parental controls.

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate. You can also create a private server for your kids called a Minecraft Realm, which allows you to individually approve or deny who is permitted to enter. Microsoft parental controls also enable parents to set up a child account to manage online communications, not just in Minecraft but in other Windows PC and Xbox games.

You can find step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Differentiating Versions of Minecraft

You may notice that there are two different versions: Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition. The major difference between these versions hinges on the platforms on which they are available. Java Edition is available on PC, Mac, and Linux computers, whereas Bedrock is available on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire OS/TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, and Samsung Gear VR. Players using the Java Edition cannot play with players using the Bedrock Edition, so if your child plays Minecraft on a PC and wants to play with their friends online, it would be important to find out which version their friends use.

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate.

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?

Minecraft is available for almost every modern console, smartphone, tablet, and computer, but the price of the game differs depending upon the 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.

Remember that all gaming devices have parental controls that allow you to restrict or limit the ability to make in-game purchases. Remember to visit ESRB’s step-by-step parental control guides at ParentalTools.org to help manage how much your kids can spend on new games and in-game purchases, which games your kids can play, with whom, and when/for how long they can play.

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! Education Edition has also been evolving into creating lessons to help kids better navigate online environments. This includes how they can stay safe online and to help teach them how to keep their personal information private.

Minecraft: Education Edition is 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. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Minecraft appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

What is Minecraft Legends?

Minecraft Legends is set in a colorful landscape that will be familiar to anyone who has played or seen the original Minecraft. Minecraft Legends is about mining for resources and building structures, but it’s also about using smart strategies to fight armies of enemies and defend bases in an adventure story.

The story sees hordes of enemy Piglins – blocky Orc-like creatures who generally live in an underground world called the Nether – invading Minecraft’s lush and bountiful Overworld. The Piglins are intent on plundering and ruling this beautiful land, and the main character is charged with defending the Overworld and retaliating against the Piglins.

How does Minecraft Legends play?

Your character is a warrior who rides one of a variety of mounts through different Minecraft-generated biomes, including a pretty jungle, and arid badlands. As you explore, you gather allies. These are often animals or creatures, aka “mobs.” To earn allies you ride up to them, and wave a magical banner. The critters then follow the player around, effectively creating an army.

You can also send magical fairies to gather resources like wood from trees, which can be used to build useful structures. These include “spawners” which manufacture more powerful helpers and followers. These include traditional Minecraft baddies, like Creepers, who are now allied with you against the Piglins.

When you arrive at a Piglin base, you should have gathered an army that’s made up of a good collection of fighters. Different kinds of mobs have different strengths and weaknesses, so mustering a correctly balanced army is a central winning strategy.

During the ensuing battle, you direct a beam of light (known as the Banner of Courage) at locations where you want your fighters to focus their attention. Just like mobs, Piglins come in different shapes and sizes, and some are far more difficult to beat than others.

Just like any good general, you try to focus your army’s attention on the most dangerous enemies. During battles, you can also build structures, like towers, that help your army take control of the enemy base.

The Piglins have built a great variety of fortresses across the Overland, so it’s up to the player to figure out each one’s weaknesses by wisely spending available resources, amassing the right mix of allies that will take down their increasingly formidable defenses, and planning attacks that will take advantage of enemy weaknesses.

Does Minecraft Legends have an Online Multiplayer Option?

Yes. Players can work together in teams of four to take down the Piglins. Or you can join one of two teams, made up of up to four players on each side, to build your own bases and try to destroy the other team. Make sure you set parental controls on your kids’ devices to manage your child’s online communications, including with whom your kids can chat while playing online. Of course, you can always block communication entirely!

Is Minecraft Legends Appropriate for Children?

Minecraft Legends is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) by ESRB, with a Content Descriptor for Fantasy Violence and Interactive Elements including Users Interact and In-Game Purchases.

The story is heavily inspired by classic fairy tales and children’s stories. It features familiar tropes such as a magic lute that summons reinforcements, a banner that instills courage in fellow warriors, and an eternal flame that attracts new helpers to the cause of freedom.

Sympathetic characters are cute and friendly, while the hog-like Piglins are faintly comedic, although their strongholds have a demonic quality like pillars of fire, ominous artifacts, and cackling villains. The combat can be noisy and frenetic, but defeated Piglins disappear from the screen without evidence of wounds or fallen bodies.

Players use swords, arrows, and fire to defeat pixelated enemies. Battles are accompanied by cries of pain and small explosions. One cutscene depicts a villain throwing/shooting fiery arrows at a bunny and other unarmed characters.

ESRB’s Rating Summary for Minecraft Legends provides more details that may be important to consider as you decide if Minecraft Legends is appropriate for your family.

Where Can I Play Minecraft Legends?

Minecraft Legends is available for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Players use swords, arrows, and fire to defeat pixelated enemies.

How Much Does Minecraft Legends Cost?

Minecraft Legends costs $39.99 on all platforms, or $49.99 for the Deluxe Edition, which comes with extra cosmetic skins for player characters to wear. Skins and cosmetics will also be available through in-game purchases.

Staying Involved with Your Kids’ Playing

As always, understanding the games your children are playing is key to making sure they have appropriate experiences.

Checking ratings, researching online, or watching your children play for a while is not only a great way to stay informed, but also helps nurture a judgment-free environment around something they love. You may even want to pick up the controller and play the game yourself. Playing immersive strategy games with family and friends can be a great opportunity to connect and enjoy each other’s company.

Video game devices, such as consoles, PCs, and smartphones, offer parental controls that help you manage what your kids play, when and for how long, with whom, and whether they can spend money on new games or in-game purchases. Some video game storefronts, like Steam and the Epic Games Store, include parental controls as well. You can find step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

While you’re there, visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide for more tips about how you can help to ensure positive video game experiences for your kids.

Colin Campbell is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, The Guardian, Polygon, IGN, Gamesindustry.biz and more.

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I’ll admit that it took me some time to get acclimated to it, and that’s coming from someone who grew up gaming. I mean, it wouldn’t have passed as gripping entertainment when we were kids… right? One of the things that sets video games apart from other types of media for me is the unique interaction you simply don’t get from reading a book or watching a film. My connection to a story is rarely greater than when I experience it with a controller in my hand, making the decisions, choosing my pathways, being part of that story. I couldn’t understand the attraction of watching someone else experience something I could do firsthand.

Turns out I was wrong!

Where Can Kids Watch Streamers

There are various ways to view streams, but for the most part, your little ones will probably access them via websites like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, Facebook, and even Tik Tok. Signing up is usually free and accessible from a wide range of devices, from phones and tablets, to laptops, PCs, and video game consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

To access these platforms, though, users need to be aged 13 or older to have and/or manage their own account, so it’s up to you to decide if it’s okay for them to have one under your watchful eye.

The Great Side of Streaming

Streaming gives kids an incredible window into the scope and magic of video games. These streams – which are broadcast live from the streamers’ own homes or offices – enables the audience to experience games in a way they might not ever be able to otherwise.

To access these platforms, though, users need to be aged 13 or older to have and/or manage their own account.

Children can watch streams to get tips and ideas on how to be better at their favorite titles – particularly highly creative ones like Minecraft (Everyone 10+) – as well as seek out solutions and support should they be stuck on a particularly difficult level. Streaming can also let them experience games they might not be able to afford or titles that have only been released on consoles they don’t own.

Fair warning: It also gives them access to games that you may have repeatedly told them they are not allowed to play!

A big difference between watching cut and edited videos on YouTube and viewing a stream is its immediacy. Kids have instant and real-time access to their favorite streamer personalities – many of whom build a community of fans and gamers. They are able to leave comments in the chat and interact with hundreds of fans dedicated to their favorite games and gamers. This obviously cuts both ways.

Being part of a community like that can be incredibly exciting. You can expose kids to many different views and introduce them to friends they never would have known otherwise. That said, anyone can sign up to participate in streams, and the things that make it so easy to engage, such as its accessibility and low cost, can also make it ripe for abuse.

Creating a Safe Streaming Experience

Trolls – the collective term given to people online who intentionally act in a harmful or malicious way – can sign up for these platforms just as easily as our kids (providing you’ve given them permission, of course), and it’s important to empower your kids with strategies for how to deal with that. While many of the bigger, more established streamers have a team of people monitoring the community chat to ensure content is friendly and the language is squeaky clean, smaller streamers may not have anyone to help them do this, which can lead to less family-friendly remarks slipping through the net.

Don’t panic! Like most things, all you need is an open mind, a pragmatic approach, and the willingness to talk and listen to your kids. There are also a whole host of tools to help you keep your children safe.

A great first step is to familiarize yourself and your kids with a platform’s Terms of Service. These are the long blocks of text written in legalese that pop up when you install a new app – or sign up for a service – for the first time. It outlines what is and is not permitted on the platform and in just about every case, the Terms of Service will outline age requirements (typically 13 years or older) as well as the kind of behavior that can get someone kicked off a platform. This can include inappropriate language or bullying, as there’s a clear difference between friendly, clean trash talk and hateful communications. For the latter, it’s helpful to show your kids how to use the reporting systems. Most streaming platforms have these as      standard now, and knowing how they work can be the difference between a handful of vulnerable people seeing inappropriate content, and hundreds (or thousands!) seeing it.

And if your child decides to stream themselves… well, the internet’s not always a kind place, is it? People can be targeted for so many ridiculous, petty reasons, and never is this more apparent than online. Many adults are not ready for the cyberbullying and abuse that comes with a little internet fame, let alone our kids, and because things are broadcast live, it’s critical to remember that there is no option to edit out mistakes. If someone accidentally reveals their location, what school they go to, or any other piece of personal information, there’s no way of walking that back.

If your child is interested in conducting their own streams it can be monumentally helpful to sit down with them before they kick off their new channel and discuss what they can do to avoid just these kinds of scenarios. People will not always be kind, and you should empower your kids to come to you when they’re feeling bullied or threatened, so you can tackle the issue together and put measures in place to mitigate it in the future.

Getting Involved

It’s not just the conduct of the streamers themselves you need to be mindful of, either – the games they play also need to be monitored. Streamers don’t always indicate on their videos if they’re playing a more restrictively rated game, and there are no strict obstacles, either. All our kids have to do to gain access to potentially inappropriate content is check a box to say they “accept” that a stream contains mature content. This can be problematic, especially if a young person thinks they’re ready to watch a game with mature themes. That’s where we, as parents, come in.

Most streamers keep an archive of their past streams on their channels, so if you’re unsure of their suitability, it might be worth grabbing a glass of your favorite beverage, finding a quiet spot when the little ‘uns are in bed, and watching for yourself. They could turn out to be the world’s most wholesome streamer – hurray! – or you could discover that they’re wholly unsuitable for your kids. If it’s the latter – well, at least by watching it, you’ll have a definite idea of their content, and you can clearly and objectively explain to your child why the streamer’s content is not appropriate (yet). Maybe you can even find another streamer who covers the same kinds of games but without the sweary commentary!

An elephant in the room: There’s also the risk of online predators, who have been known to intentionally prowl livestreams that are particularly interesting to children and young people. This is another scenario where empowering your kids to have open communication with you is key. They should never feel embarrassed or worried about coming to you – especially if they end up in a clearly unsafe situation. It’s worth clarifying that while these instances are pretty uncommon, knowing what to do just in case can put your mind at ease. And don’t forget, not only should you report the individual to the platform concerned, in particularly threatening cases you and your children should contact your local authorities, too.

Fortunately, the industry has made incredible strides in monitoring bad actors and removing them from services before they become issues. Still, it’s important to be aware of (and plan for) worst-case scenarios.

Staying involved

Most of all, it’s important to stay involved. Some parents may trust their kids’ judgment while keeping a careful eye from a distance. Meanwhile, others may only permit their children to watch streams when they’re in the same room. Maybe you can find a channel that you can watch together (you might even learn new skills yourself and amaze your friends and family at the next game night)! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and it’s up to you to find what works best for your family.

Remind your kids that you trust them and you’ll always have their back and that it’s okay to talk to you about streaming – the good and the bad. That way you know that your kids are informed about what is and is not acceptable online behavior and your little gamer can still enjoy their pre-approved channels, safe in the knowledge that they can come to you if anything ever goes wrong.

It took 15 years of civil service monotony for Vikki to crack and switch to writing about games. She has since become an experienced reporter and critic working with a number of outlets in both the UK and beyond, including Eurogamer, GamesRadar+, MTV, NME, and Variety. She’s a Guardian, a Spartan, and a survival horror survivalist. Her k/d ratio is shameful.

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