Navigating Non-Violent Video Games (2022): What Parents, Educators, & Students Need to Know

Minecraft is a wildly popular game that fosters creativity and problem-solving. Players dig (or mine) and build (or craft) different kinds of 3D blocks across varying environments and terrains. It’s often described as a virtual version of LEGOS, but with various modes and chat features, there are some dangers parents should be aware of.

Parent & educator training

What we're covering in this video:

• Video game industry basics
• Addiction & red flags
• What parents need to know about:
• Roblox
• Minecraft
• How to set limitations
• Start a dialog with your student

What should parents know about Minecraft?

• There are many ways to customize gameplay with in-app purchases (available for $3+)
• Many players look on the internet for 3rd party skins, maps, and mods, but those downloads could contain malware
• It has chat for online multiplayer games unless it’s disabled in settings
• It can be easy for players to spend a lot of time playing. Minecraft is an open-ended game with limitless possibilities
• Minecraft does not show blood, but there is cartoonish violence. Depending on the mode, this could include hitting or killing animals or other players (in multiplayer mode)
• Watching other people play Minecraft on YouTube is big business. YouTube report’s 201 billion views of Minecraft videos in 2020
• Players can also live stream their games or watch other people play Minecraft on 3rd party apps, like Twitch
• Parents should know that videos and live streams of other players could contain explicit language and adult ideas

What can parents do to keep students safe on Minecraft?

• Play the game with your students to learn about the game first-hand and spend time doing what your kids want to do  (Here are some gameplay tutorials and Minecraft lingo here)

• The safest way for younger kids to play Minecraft is in single-player Creative mode in the Peaceful setting. They will be playing by themselves, without joining a server, and without violence or communication with other players. If you plan to let your child play online multiplayer games, research safe server options
• Talk with your children about cyberbullying and grooming and let them know they can always come to you for help
• Explain the dangers of giving out personal information to a stranger
• Discuss spending limits for in-app purchases in the Minecraft Marketplace and through 3rd party sellers
• Consider setting time limits for gameplay and encourage a healthy balance of online/offline activities

What should parents know about Roblox?

• Despite having parental controls, children very often interact with strangers and are still susceptible to being targeted by predators through live chats
• Since users can create and upload games, inappropriate and graphic content can appear in any game
• Cyberbullying is prevalent, especially the type that shames players for not spending money on their avatar
• Due to Roblox’s auto-billing feature, many children inadvertently sign up to pay for features on a monthly basis

What can parents do to keep students safe on Roblox?

• Sit down and play Roblox with your students to understand how they play the game and build a connection with your kids by having fun together
• Discuss safety concerns about the chat features with your kids and talk about who it is appropriate to talk with and what topics are never ok to talk to strangers about
• Consider setting daily or weekly time limits for the game
• Encourage your student to always talk with you, or a trusted adult, if a situation makes them uncomfortable, even online
• Sign up for the SmartSocial.com Very Informed Parent membership to learn more about games like Roblox and more tips on how to keep your family safe online while having fun

Parent & student training video

What we're covering in this video:

• How popular are video games like Roblox and Minecraft?
• Benefits of playing video gaming
• 5 ways families can be safer playing video games online
• Tips to manage video game time
• Roblox game and important settings

Student training video

What we're covering in this video:

10 examples from news clips around the world with real-life examples of the impact of non-violent video games.

Additional resources

Roblox Safety Guide for Parents

Minecraft: Parent Guide

Conclusion

Comment below to let us know what you think, what you learned, or if you have any other questions the Smart Social team can help you answer!