Its half term and lots of kids will be using the time to play one of the most popular games of the momnet – Minecraft. Mincraft is a game about building and creating an online world. Playing Minecraft can be beneficial in lots of different ways – it can encourage learning, boost creativity, and improves hand-eye coordination. However the NSPCC have put together some great information for parents and guardians about the risks of being part of this online game.
Photo Credit: Lego Photo mureut; Creative Commons
There are different elements within the game which parents may not know about. Do you know the difference between a Griefer and a Creeper? Does your child understand that they shouldn’t be in the Nether?
Here is the NSPCC guide to Minecraft terms:
The game can also be played with multiple players which is great for kids who want to play with their friends but bear in mind that players can join any game they want, public or private. Players can also see, speak and interact with others, whether they are friends or strangers. The NSPCC asking children what their top concerns were when playing Minecraft – here is what they said:
- bullying
- talking to strangers
- hacking
- downloading viruses
Knowing this parents can start a conversation about the game. Reinforce that they should never give their details out to strangers and be aware of their moods and look out for warning signs that show something in the game has caused them distress. The NSPCC recommend that parent help keep children safe on Minecraft by making sure that they know where their children are playing (and that there are no sneaky games in the middle of the night), that they are making use of the appropriate safety settings and that they know that they can talk to you about anything which upsets or unsettles them while playing.
Click here to read more about this parents guide to Minecraft from the NSPCC website.