Minecraft - online or not?

[SmileEachDay]

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..

I am thinking I should stop the chat and friends requests now....

Their profiles are not set up for chat or friend requests from Unknown’s so it’s fine

Ok - so that’s a thing on MN. That’s interesting.

My DS doesn’t yet but I’m thinking of letting him. I don’t know a lot about minecraft but I’m sure the creator were having a laugh calling one of the world The Nether (region) 😂😂

I’m sure the creator were having a laugh calling one of the world The Nether (region) 😂😂

I KNOW!!!

@SmileEachDay

Right. Just checked with DS. Someone has to know your minecraft name or friend code (a very long number) to request you. They can only enter your world and play with you if you accept their friend request. You can disable chat. Hope that helps!

I should add that my DS FaceTimes his friend while playing. It’s a fun time!!! We now have minecraft socks, pants, hat, colouring in and he has asked for a teddy too 🤦🏼‍♀️

mnahmnah

Perfect! Thank you - and hope you are enjoying the summer before teaching in government guidelines madness!!

We have the plush characters aswell, I found a fury Enderman in my bed the other morning (closest I’ve had to having any man in my bed for years) 😂

I found a fury Enderman in my bed the other morning (closest I’ve had to having any man in my bed for years

😂😂

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

This sounds like the nintendo friend system rather than a minecraft server one?

I don't have the switch version, but if it's cross platform then children may be able to chat on servers with players who are using a diff platform and won't always be a nintendo friend.

I found this OP. Instructions on safety measures depending on the platform and version your child is playing.

www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-guide-how-keep-your-children-safe-online-parental-settings

At eight years old, I would supervise all online activity, including video games even with parental controls on, esp ones that are popular with adults too such as minecraft and animal crossing etc.

Animal Crossing for example has had an update where you can upload your island and generate a code to share publicly for users to explore your island and interact with characters without having to be friends with them, some adult players have got porn themed islands and have villagers saying sexually explicit things, you've an report and it's taken down but it shows even with parental controls ok and a tight friends lists, it doesn't guarantee safety.

UtMalumPluvia

Hmm this is interesting

@UtMalumPluvia

Yes, I did say upthread that it may depend on what console is being used. My DS plays with another switch user

I had to basically learn MC to be able to play with my DS. He was keen to play with others and as he doesn't have friends outside school (he has ASD), I learnt to play with him. It's actually quite a lot of fun and brilliant for bonding. He really really loves that I have shown interest in his hobby. We are sat next to each other (computer me and ipad him), each have our own namertags/accounts. It's def worth trying to play with him.

@SmileEachDay

Their profiles are not set up for chat or friend requests from Unknown’s so it’s fine

Ok - so that’s a thing on MN. That’s interesting.

Do you mean that’s a thing on MC? Rather than MN? Only I’ve spent about five minutes looking like this trying to understand!

They’re set up with tight controls on Xbox and then we’ve added friends. They’re (even the 11 year olds) totally fine with this and as far as I know all their friends are set up similarly.

Do you mean that’s a thing on MC?

Yes!

My kids play Minecraft, but not on any public servers. They are happy to just build stuff (although my son is now obsessed with killing the “enderdragon”). Their cousins also play, so we may set up a server so that they can play together in the same world. Restrictions seem pretty good, to be honest, but I am very clear on them not accepting friend requests / talking to strangers etc, as they also play Roblox (with many restrictions, and with me checking their accounts regularly).

It's def worth trying to play with him

Great advice!