Is Minecraft Appropriate For Children?
If you have kids, chances are you’ve heard of minecraft – the wildly popular video game in which players build virtual worlds and experiences. It’s a sort of sandbox, in which the possibilities are limitless. And while it may sound a bit boring, it is actually a pretty cool way to spend some time!
But what exactly is minecraft, and is it appropriate for children? The game is available for PlayStation, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices. It features two different modes of play: Creative and Survival. In Creative mode, players can build and explore to their hearts’ content without worrying about hunger or health, and all resources are available immediately. This is the mode most often used for educational purposes.
Survival mode is a bit more complex. After randomly spawning into a world, players have to use the available materials to build equipment (such as a pickaxe) and shelter, and gather food and other resources. They must also fight off hostile mobs that can attack them. Players can die in Survival mode from starvation, falling, burning, or being killed by enemies, but their bodies are not shown onscreen and they will respawn shortly after dying. There is also very little graphic or inappropriate content in Minecraft, and the graphics are blocky and cartoon-like.
In addition to the game’s online multiplayer capabilities, which require an internet connection, minecraft allows users to download community worlds created by other players. This opens the door to potentially dangerous or inappropriate situations, and it is recommended that parents monitor their children’s interactions with other players online. Players can report other players through the in-game menu for inappropriate behavior, and this information is then assessed by human moderators.
Minecraft’s appeal is likely due to the fact that it reflects the natural ways in which children learn through play. “All mammals, including humans, play as part of their developmental process,” says Peter Gray, a psychology professor at Boston College. They engage in activities such as building sandcastles, forts and treehouses. They practice their social skills by playing with friends. They use their imaginations to create stories and scenarios, which they act out with toys or props. In this way, they’re practicing the same skills they’ll need to succeed in school and in life.
As a digital version of these activities, Minecraft is a highly engaging and interactive activity that helps develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, social interaction and creativity. It is also a good opportunity for children to learn how to collaborate with others, and it can help develop cognitive skills such as planning and problem solving. And while many parents might be concerned that Minecraft is a violent or addictive game, it has a strong following among educational and school-based organizations and has been proven to be beneficial for students’ academic performance. Interestingly, it has also been known to boost self-esteem and social interaction in some children.