p>So how does Minecraft work, and how safe is it for children? Here's everything you need to know.
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p>Minecraft is a virtual 'sandbox' game. Players build their own virtual worlds and experiences using building blocks or resources. Although you will need to begin with the basics first and then move on to more complicated resources, you can eventually create your world in any way you'd like.
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p>Although the price range can vary slightly based on the platform you're using, Minecraft is never going cost more than PS25 and this higher cost includes all mods (community made developments to the game) and skins (aesthetic features to the character). You can play Minecraft on your tablet, smartphone, or computer.
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p>You can play in a single-player or multiplayer mode. In the multiplayer mode, players work together to create their own Minecraft world.
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p>Why is it so popular?
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p>Minecraft is a completely free-form game. There aren't any rules or goals. Players can design and play as they like. It is often compared with Lego. Lego.
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p>This gives Minecraft players plenty of choice in how they play. They can create their own fantasy world or design the whole thing from scratch. They can fight against villains and go on adventure, and they can play as a solo player or with friends.
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p>It can be played at any level. You will need to have an aforementioned level of expertise to advance to the next level in many popular games. This can be frustrating for children even as young as five who may not have the time or abilities to progress in an activity. Minecraft allows children to create their own adventures at any level.
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p>What are the things parents should be aware of?
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p>Age restrictions
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p>Different Minecraft versions have different age restrictions. Some mods might contain more violence than other. It's important to keep in mind that Minecraft includes a chat feature. The age ratings vary from 7+ to 13+.
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p>Minecraft's standard terms and conditions stipulate that children younger than 13 years old must have parental consent to play. In the UK when children younger than 13 play Minecraft without parental permission it is a violation of the site's terms and conditions however it isn't illegal.
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p>Minecraft is extremely popular among primary school kids, despite the age limit. It's not a problem for young children.
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p>Chat functions
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p>There are two kinds of chats in Minecraft: Realms and Server chats. Mojang is the game's creator hosts the realm chat and moderators it. Every player is able to establish a chat on the server. Usually, players invite their friends to join their Minecraft server and use chat. However some players provide an invitation that allows anyone to join.
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p>Remind children of the risks involved with talking to people they don't know on the internet.
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p>Remember that players might also be chatting via Discord, another chat forum with different security settings. Remind children not move onto other platforms to communicate.
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p>Chat features on websites allow children to chat with those who have similar interests in gaming. There is no way to determine who these individuals might be. We recommend that children under the age of 5 not chat with other players chat rooms in-game unless they know them.
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p>It is also essential that children don't give away any personal information about themselves, or move their conversations into other online spaces that might be considered private.
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p>YouTube videos of Minecraft
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p>Many Minecraft users watch fan-made YouTube videos to improve their skills and learn new techniques.
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p>A lot of them are appropriate for children. Minecraft doesn't have any explicit content, but some of the videos feature monsters, trolls, spiders and zombies, which some children might find frightening. Some of the videos contain commentary with profanity or sexual references, while others discuss or even encourage bullying. These videos might be suitable for you.
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p>You could try searching for "profanity-free Minecraft servers". It might be worth checking the videos before kids see them.
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p>YouTube's Safety Mode can be turned on to block content that is inappropriate.
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p>Listen to the Parent Zone's podcast, Tech Shock.
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p>Reporting functions
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p>Currently, Minecraft does not have an immediate "report" function, so your child should be aware when joining the server. https://lessontoday.com/profile/desirebeet47/activity/2534592/ If your child is playing with a mature age group, they may hear abusive language or comments. Minecraft reserves the right to ban any player who is in violation of the terms and conditions.
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p>You can complain about players by going to Minecraft's helpdesk, and then submitting an inquiry. This is something an adult should take on rather than a child, as it is a little complicated.
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p>With some plugins (add-on software that allows you to customize or extend the game), you can report users who break the rules of the server to a moderator who will ban anyone being offensive or disruptive.
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p>Spot something that doesn't look quite right? You can email librarian@parentzone.org.uk to submit comments and feedback.
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