With more than 140 million monthly players, Minecraft is one of the world’s most popular online games, attracting a loyal following of young fans. But the pixelated world of crafting and adventure has been at the centre of debate about its impact on kids – with some of the most recent research revealing it’s actually a game-changer for learning.

Blocks, creatures and community are the core of Minecraft, with players able to do everything from craft elaborate worlds to go on adventures. Minecraft is rated suitable for kids aged seven and older, with the makers claiming it ‘should be a safe space for everyone’ and it also has parental control tools.

One of the biggest draw cards for parents is that Minecraft is a game that prompts kids to think, problem solve, create and explore. There’s even a Minecraft Education version that’s being included in school curriculums around the world.

“Minecraft was like therapy for my autistic son. I can’t really explain it but it would settle him right down.” – Jacinta, Mouths of Mums member

A new Australian study found when kids play Minecraft together, it fosters teamwork, communication and social skills.

“From what we see of children’s interactions on Minecraft, it’s far more than just a digital pastime; it’s a virtual playground where children can develop problem-solving skills, collaboration, and language abilities,” study author and University of South Australia researcher Dr Vincenza (Enza) Tudini explained.

“Team and problem-solving skills are also prominent in Minecraft. Unlike traditional video games that tend to focus on competition and scoring points, Minecraft is an open-ended experience that encourages children to build, explore, and interact, with players often working together to achieve common goals.”

The educational component is echoed by the parents we reached out to on Mouths of Mums’ social platforms.

Mum Bianca de Lima said she and her husband also enjoy playing the game, along with their nine-year-old son.

“It was brilliant for my son because it gave him some common ground with his peers (he is a genius and never knew what to talk about with them. He also ADHD and autism) and he actually made some friends.”

But Bianca tempered her enthusiasm for the game with at least one negative.

“The down side is he became obsessed with it. If he couldn’t play he was asking someone else to play so that he could watch… and tell us EVERYTHING! Including that we were doing things wrong (in our own world and of our own design). He has calmed down a bit now. He still loves to play and watch others and he still tells us EVERYTHING (he has read a LOT of books on every subject surrounding it) but he is no longer obsessed with it and begging people to play.”

Other parents told Mouths of Mums they can see huge positives in kids playing Minecraft.

“Benefits include teaching kids teamwork, geometry skills, resource management, problem solving, community engagement (because kids share their creations), it also encourages confident exploration and creativity because it’s not developed to have a linear story line propelled by quests or in-house purchases,” said Carly May Nichols.

“My son has been playing since he was 8. He’s now 16 and still loves it. It’s far more beneficial than warfare shooting games.” – Kellie

Other parents say they’ve used the parental controls to tailor the game to their children.

“I guess it depends on the kids. Not a one size fits all,” said Elena Rose Warren. “We use it in our OT sessions and have an online homeschool group that my son’s enjoys playing with. But because he takes things literally (ASD level 2) we’ve turned off the zombies and killing characters etc.”

“My son learnt to spell from a young age. He’s excellent with language, he got one of the highest marks in his class from playing Minecraft.” – Rochelle

However, experts agree that while the benefits are many, there are also challenges in keeping kids safe.

“All online spaces have safety risks. While Minecraft promotes positive social interactions, public servers can expose children to online risks such as bullying or interactions with unknown players,” Dr Tudini said.

Minecraft has developed its own five tips for safe gaming, to help empower parents.

1. Understand Online Interactions:

• Teach children not to share personal information like their real name or address.
• Familiarize them with Minecraft’s reporting tools for inappropriate behaviour.
• Encourage open communication about any uncomfortable interactions.
• Adjust chat settings to control who can contact your child.
• This guide can help you and your child understand how to use Minecraft’s reporting tools

2. Set Up A Child Account:

• Use the Xbox Family Settings App to create child accounts with age restrictions.
• Customize content settings to block unsuitable games and apps.
• Enable weekly activity reports to monitor gaming habits.
• Activate the “Ask to Buy” feature for in-game purchase approvals.
• Check out this page on setting up a child account

3. Recognise In-Game Purchases:

• Explain the difference between virtual currency and real money.
• Set spending limits on your child’s account.
• Review purchase requests together to align with family rules.
• See here to understand how to set up approval needed for purchases

4. Balance Screen Time:

• Create a schedule that includes designated times for gaming, homework, and outdoor activities.
• Use tools within the Xbox Family Settings app to set playtime limits.
• Promote regular breaks during gaming sessions.
• Model balanced screen habits by engaging in non-screen activities as a family.
• Check out this guide on setting screen time limits in the Xbox Family Settings App

5. Build a Safe Online World:

• Help your child set up private servers to play with friends they know in real life.
• Teach them how to use moderation tools to manage player interactions.
• Organize supervised group activities within the game.
• Stay informed about the latest updates and safety features in Minecraft.
• See here for how to set up a private server

What do you think? Is Minecraft good for kids? Let us know in the comments below.