Minecraft has proven a hugely popular game amongst children and adults alike since it’s release by Swedish developer, Mojang Studios in 2011.
In fact, the sandbox and survival title is now the best-selling video game of all time, having surpassed 300 million sales in October 2023. This year saw the release of A Minecraft Movie and subequent promotional campaign alongside McDonald’s, only increasing the game’s stock even further.
Available on a variety of devices, including Windows PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation consoles as well as all major mobile devices, players explore a block-like 3D world with virtually infinite terrain. Users are required to extract raw materials and use them to craft tools and other useful items in order to build machines, buildings and engineering facilities.
Depending on their chosen game mode, players can cooperate with or compete against others in multiplayer mode – something that experienced IT expert and father, Ben Gillenwater has issued a warning over. Ben, whose website states that he is on “a mission to help families navigate the digital world safely”, took to TikTok to point out two potential “red flags” within Minecraft.
“Today I’m answering the question I get asked all the time, is Minecraft safe for kids?” he began in a video. “The short answer is yes, but with some very important caveats that make a big difference.”
Ben continued: “When evaluating any game, watch for two major red flags. First, anonymous online chat – this is the primary channel that predators use for ‘sextortion’. Second, anonymous user-generated content – this can expose kids to sexual and violent material.”
Is this a threat to Minecraft users though? Ben pointed out that Minecraft was designed with child safety in mind, and it’s default settings for young players [under the age of 13] has chat and multiplayer features automatically disabled. However, Ben pointed out there are two versions of Minecraft – Java and Bedrock.
“Java, the original version is not integrated into Microsoft’s safety system is inherently riskier, whilst Bedrock, the modern version is integrated with Microsoft’s family controls making it much safer,” Ben warned. Whilst most systems support Bedrock, Mac devices only support Java.
“The most critical step is setting up your child’s account properly,” Ben emphasised. “Create a Microsoft account for both yourself and a child account that you manage. This prevents your child from creating their own account using a fake birthday.”
And for added security, he suggested visiting account.xbox.com/settings where you can review your privacy tab. Here, change the ‘Others can communicate with voice, text or invite’ setting and the ‘Others can see if you’re online’ setting from ‘Friends’ to ‘Blocked’.
Ben closed with an alternative option: “When your child wants to play with friends, consider Minecraft Realms – Microsoft’s controlled multiplayer experience. Realms are private, subscription-based servers where strangers cannot randomly join. Players can only join when specifically invited by the Realm owner.” Settings can duly be adjusted as children grow older and mature, meanwhile.
Responding to Ben’s advice, one TikTok user claimed: “This is fantastic advice but it strikes me that many parents are very naive to the risk and would struggle to follow the process you talked through.”
A second added: “Ours have just started playing on a Bedrock Realm, but we keep an eye on who is added so it’s just them and a few close friends for now.” A third praised Ben: “Thank you for explaining so detailed.” Whilst a fourth person confessed: “I need to pay attention to this and go through it all.”
Microsoft, which handles Minecraft’s press enquiries, has been invited to respond.
