p>So , how does Minecraft work and is it safe to use it for children? Here's everything you require.
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p>Minecraft is an online "sandbox" game. You can design your own virtual worlds or experiences making use of resources or building blocks. While you'll need to begin with the basics first and then move onto more complicated resources, you can eventually create your world any way you like.
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p>Although the price range can vary slightly based on the game's platform, Minecraft is never going cost more than PS25 and this higher cost includes all mods (community made developments to a game) and skins (aesthetic additions to an individual). You can play Minecraft on smartphones, computers tablet, XBox, Nintendo Switch or Playstation.
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p>You can play in a single-player or multiplayer mode. In multiplayer mode, players collaborate to create their Minecraft world.
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p>It's very popular due to this.
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p>Minecraft is a game that is free-form. It doesn't come with a list of rules or a stated objective players are free to build and play however they want. It's often described as a Lego. Lego. https://soundzpromising.com/ </p>
p>This means that Minecraft players have a lot of freedom 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 by themselves or with friends.
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p>It can also be played at any level. In many popular games, you must have some level of skill in order to progress to the next challenge. This is a problem for kids as young as five who might not have the time or the skills to advance in a game. In Minecraft children can design their own adventures at any level of play.
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p>What should parents be aware of?
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p>Age restrictions
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p>Different versions of Minecraft have different age limits Some mods have more violence than others. It's important to keep in mind that Minecraft has an in-game chat feature. The age ratings range from 7+ to 13+.
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p>Minecraft's standard terms and conditions state that children who are younger than 13 years old must have parental consent to play. In the UK when children under the age of 13 play Minecraft without parental consent it is a breach of the terms and conditions of the site - but it is not illegal.
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p>Despite the age restriction, Minecraft is very popular with children in primary school. There's nothing about the game itself that's inappropriate for children.
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p>Chat functions
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p>There are two different chat functions available in Minecraft; Realms and server chats. Realm chat is hosted by the game's developers, Mojang and moderated by them. Server chat is created by the players themselves. Usually, players invite their friends to join their Minecraft server and use chat. However some players provide an invitation to anyone to join.
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p>Remind children of the dangers of speaking to strangers online.
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p>Remember that players might also be chatting via Discord, a different chat platform with different security settings. Make sure children aren't logging to other platforms to communicate with people.
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p>Chat features allow children to communicate with others who share similar desires in gaming. But, there's no way to determine who these people could be. We recommend that children under the age of 5 not talk with other players through chat in games unless they are familiar with them.
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p>It is also essential that children don't give away any personal information about themselves, or transfer their conversations to 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 view fan-created YouTube videos to sharpen their skills and acquire new techniques.
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p>A lot of these videos are suitable for children. Minecraft doesn't have any graphic content. However, some videos include monsters, trolls , spiders and zombies that children might find scary. Some videos contain explicit or sexual commentary while others encourage bullying. These videos might be suitable for you.
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p>Try searching for 'profanity-free Minecraft servers'. However, it might be worth checking the videos prior to letting children view them.
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p>YouTube's Safety Mode can be turned off to block content that is inappropriate.
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p>Listen to Tech Shock, the Parent Zone podcast.
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p>Reporting functions
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p>Minecraft currently does not offer an instant "report" function. Your child should be cautious when joining an online server. Your child may be exposed to inappropriate language and snarky comments when playing with an older person. Minecraft reserves the right to ban any player who violates the terms and conditions.
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p>You can report players by going to Minecraft's helpdesk and submitting an inquiry. This is something an adult should take on rather than a child since it's a bit complicated.
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p>You can report any user who violates the rules to a moderator who is able to ban them.
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p>Is there something you do not like? You can email librarian@parentzone.org.uk to submit comments and feedback.
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