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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Minecraft - online or not?

42 replies

SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 18:02

8 yr old has recently got into Minecraft. Sine reading some of the books he’s realised that you can play in “multi player” mode.

I’m a DSLO so am super paranoid about online games - but am I being too pre ious? Is Minecraft online “safe” for an 8 year old? Is it appropriate?

Yes - you’re right!
No - online is ok - it would be really good to hear other parents experience of this..

OP posts:
NoOtherUsernameWasValid · 15/08/2020 18:09

Hi OP,
Personally for me at that age I'd only allow it under supervision of an adult.

However, I have no experience with minecraft so I'm not sure if you can filter it to take away chats etc?

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 18:13

Personally for me at that age I'd only allow it under supervision of an adult

This is my thinking - although my immediate thought is just NO at 8.

However, I have no experience with minecraft so I'm not sure if you can filter it to take away chats etc?

It’s quite hard to find straightforward information about this- Minecraft is a mystery, although he made me a very nice beachside hut with a tiled floor soooo...🤣

OP posts:
MylittleLovebug · 15/08/2020 18:15

Ds 6 has minecraft and we have set it off line, he can play two player at home with me or dh as yje second player but don't feel appropriate he play with strangers online. I dont want to have to worry about what is being said etc.

mnahmnah · 15/08/2020 18:15

I felt the same as you. But it is very safe. My DS is also 8 and plays online with only one friend. He has had no requests from anyone else and I can see those easily. He can only play with those whose requests he has accepted. They don’t talk or communicate at all. They’re just both present in the screen together.

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 18:17

mnahmnah

Is that someone you know in RL? Is it possible to set it up so you only play with actual friends?

OP posts:
NoOtherUsernameWasValid · 15/08/2020 18:19

Can the settings easily be changed so that he plays online with you or another adult watching for an hour here and there etc?

Others might be able to give better advice, sorry 😂

mnahmnah · 15/08/2020 18:22

@SmileEachDay

Yes, someone we actually know. You have to know their friend code or name to add them. So you can’t just befriend someone random

mnahmnah · 15/08/2020 18:23

I think there is a chat feature that you disable. My son is captain sensible and we’ve had all the chats about it, so I trust him not to change any settings.

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 18:23

mnahmnah

Ohh ok - that’s helpful. Is that just on “normal” MC or is there a special way you have to play to do that?

OP posts:
mnahmnah · 15/08/2020 18:24

No I think that’s just standard. It may depend on which device he’s playing in too??? My son plays on a Nintendo Switch

Tearsofgravy · 15/08/2020 18:25

Forgive my ignorance, but what does DSLO stand for?

mnahmnah · 15/08/2020 18:25

I’ll have a better look at it later and get back to you!

PoodleMoth · 15/08/2020 18:26

I would say only with supervision and only people he knows

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 18:27

DSLO - designated safeguarding lead.

I’m a teacher in a high school with responsibility for child protection and safeguarding.

Hence the online workd making me somewhat twitchy 😳

OP posts:
Original poster
SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 18:27

mnahmnah Thank you 🙏🏻

OP posts:
mnahmnah · 15/08/2020 18:28

@SmileEachDay
High school teacher too! Grin

TrickorTreacle · 15/08/2020 18:29

I didn't know that Minecraft was still a thing. Unless there have been sequels? Fair play if it's still doing well though.

For online gaming, I would say 13 years old. You had to be 13 to play Warcraft (another -craft game!) and pretty sure you have to be 13 to join forums, Facebook, Twitter etc.

MsEllany · 15/08/2020 18:29

We have online options enabled for 8 year old and 11 year olds.

Their profiles are not set up for chat or friend requests from Unknown’s so it’s fine. They play games on online servers but don’t go into other peoples worlds unless they know them.

IslandbreezeNZ · 15/08/2020 18:30

My 7 year old uses it and sometimes enters a 'server' where there can be chat and friends . I let him but do ask him about people chatting to him and what they are saying. I am not too worried with it from what I see so far. He knows what people should not be asking him and knows not to tell them anything personal about himself. We cover the topic every now and then.

Enderman · 15/08/2020 18:30

My DC play with their friends only. Not all the time, mostly they just go on their own worlds in creative mode.

I know who the friends are. They know not to accept any friend requests from anyone they don’t know. There have been a few problems when their friends have destroyed stuff they’ve built (it goes both ways) and we’ve had discussions amongst the parents on WhatsApp about can they all be nice to each other please.

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 18:30

High school teacher too!

Ha. You will understand the paranoia settings turned up to eleventy hundred 😂😂

OP posts:
WutheringTights · 15/08/2020 18:30

Ours is set so that DS (7) can only play with friends from school that we've added. We've also disabled online chat so he zoom calls the friends he's playing with to chat while he plays. I wouldn't have chosen it under normal circumstances but it's been a great way to keep in touch with his friends during lockdown.

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 15/08/2020 18:31

Enderman

From your username you are clearly an expert!

OP posts:
Enderman · 15/08/2020 18:32

@SmileEachDay

Enderman

From your username you are clearly an expert!

Hahaha! I had totally forgotten about my username!
mnahmnah · 15/08/2020 18:32

@SmileEachDay

Indeed! Exactly why Fortnite will be a no!!!

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