My middle schoolers don't play it and never have. They're very involved in real (not virtual) activities, get great grades, and have lots of good friends.

Sadly, it sounds like we're in the minority.

Anonymous wrote:It's absolutely fine to forbid it. Find fun alternatives that don't involve a screen. And in general: to all you parents limiting screen time for children as much as humanly possible...you have my deep respect. Children do not need technology. They need to play with real people, go outside, run, explore, be healthy etc. Screens are anything BUT healthy so stay away from them as long as you possibly can.

It's not an either/or though. You can design and plant a garden, grow crops, harvest,and cook food -- both in real life and in Minecraft.

It's absolutely fine to forbid it. Find fun alternatives that don't involve a screen. And in general: to all you parents limiting screen time for children as much as humanly possible...you have my deep respect. Children do not need technology. They need to play with real people, go outside, run, explore, be healthy etc. Screens are anything BUT healthy so stay away from them as long as you possibly can.

My 8 yo son doesn't play it. He has it on his iPad because I thought it would be something he'd like (he loves Legos) but he tried it and didn't get into it.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, forbade it for my ten year old. Someone tried to "kill" her character and she FREAKED out. She was crying, wailing.... no more Minecraft.

She is allowed to play Wizard 101 which appears to have better controls.

Yeah, I wouldn't let a 10 year old play in a server. She could play alone or against you though, if you ever want to try it again.

Anonymous wrote:wow, not many forbidders responding! I will! I have a 10 year old who does not play. He went through a phase last year when he was asking to play. I said I'd look into it, but didn't get to it and after a month or so he stopped asking. I am on the fence about letting him. We only have 1 computer in the house (mine) and they each get 30 minutes or so on it per day. I don't really think there is time for something like Minecraft, from the sounds of it.

Half hour is fine. But it can easily go far longer!

wow, not many forbidders responding! I will! I have a 10 year old who does not play. He went through a phase last year when he was asking to play. I said I'd look into it, but didn't get to it and after a month or so he stopped asking. I am on the fence about letting him. We only have 1 computer in the house (mine) and they each get 30 minutes or so on it per day. I don't really think there is time for something like Minecraft, from the sounds of it.

Both of my sons play it. They join each other's world and help build stuff. Occasionally they will annoy each other and we have to put the kabosh on sharing. But I think it is a great creativity tool and I don't have a problem with them playing it...within limits.

They can't play during the school week.
They can't play it until chores are done and they are ready for bed. They have a timer that I use to limit play.

That said...it's MUCH better than the new game my older son started playing (Clash of Clans).

They only play it on the tablets I have, so no outside play. They ask me to install on my computer, but I say no.

They are going to a camp as well this summer. There's one being offered in Virginia by a place called C3 Cyber Club (in Sterling/Ashburn). There are several others, but most are for the older crowd (my kids are 8 and 6).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, forbade it for my ten year old. Someone tried to "kill" her character and she FREAKED out. She was crying, wailing.... no more Minecraft.

She is allowed to play Wizard 101 which appears to have better controls.

Isn't 10 a little old to be freaking out about a video game?

Exactly If she doesn't understand that video games are only make believe and not real and she is 10 yrs old, then it's probably a good idea not to let her play.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, forbade it for my ten year old. Someone tried to "kill" her character and she FREAKED out. She was crying, wailing.... no more Minecraft.

She is allowed to play Wizard 101 which appears to have better controls.

Isn't 10 a little old to be freaking out about a video game?

To answer the question, no, my 9 year old doesn't play minecraft. Neither do my 7, 8 or 12 year olds. There are no video games or computer games of any kind in our home. Though, I think they've played it during some free time at school when the school has allowed it. It honestly never comes up at home. They spend their free time reading, painting, knitting, or playing outdoors. Honestly, all my kids kind of want to be Amish -- I try to explain to them that if they really wanted to do that they'd have to put the damn painting down and learn how to spend every second of the day working to feed the family.

Yes, forbade it for my ten year old. Someone tried to "kill" her character and she FREAKED out. She was crying, wailing.... no more Minecraft.

She is allowed to play Wizard 101 which appears to have better controls.

Anonymous wrote:Minecraft on Creative Mode = Virtual LEGOS

Not sure what the point of the back and forth is. The parents who are okay with Minecraft aren't going to convince the other parents that playing it is okay and vice versa.

What's the point of anything on DCUM then.

Minecraft on Creative Mode = Virtual LEGOS

Not sure what the point of the back and forth is. The parents who are okay with Minecraft aren't going to convince the other parents that playing it is okay and vice versa.

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Anonymous wrote:He is awfully old for not being allowed to llay minecraft.

At the very least go to Target and get him a few creeper tshirts so he fits in.

Seriously. Every single 6-12 year old boy and a lot of the girls too are playing and talking about minecraft.

Who cares what other kids do? If they all jumped off the end of the pier -- or when they start smoking, drinking and getting high -- would you want your kid to follow, or do you make your own decisions for them?
Minecraft is disgusting. I wish I had never let my 10 year old play it. It is not the creative, intellectual game it's made out to be. It seems to be about killing -- killing animals, creepers, etc. Yuck.

If someone came up with a game that was ACTUALLY as Minecraft is described, they could make a fortune. Anyone?

I think your problem with minecraft might be kid specific.

Anyone can take something innocent and make it evil. It is all in the approach. Too bad that is how your kid plays.

My kids, their cousins and friends all play together on a server.

They built a town, complete with a museum and childrens hospital. They assigned each other jobs like museum curator, city planner, chief of police, architects, interior designers, town geologist, farmer, etc.

It was quite elaborate really and kept them busy for weeks.

Yes, they killed some zombies but it was not any more gruesome or violent than Pacman or Asteroids was back in the day.

Maybe work with your kid if all he wanted to do in Minecarft was the violent stuff. You will have this issue with all video games if you have that kind of kid.

Pacman and Asteroids did not involve killing or blood. Eating animals is part of life -- but it doesn't have to be part of video games for children. My son doesn't have an obsession with violence. I don't care for the sound of pigs squealing when they're being killed in the background, even if it's only occasional. I think it's sick, even once. That you find it a normal part of life for kids playing computer games is troubling.

You killed at ate ghosts in Pacman. Far more violent than killing zombies. At least you don't eat the zombies in Minecraft.

They are not killing pigs for pleasure. They are killing for food. They raise them, nurture them and butcher them at the end. A good lesson for kids that food does not just magically appear on a grocery store shelf or restaurant table.

You have serious issues lady.

Yes, because I don't want to teach my kids to enjoy killing. I don't want them to grow up to work for a slaughter house either, although i know someone has to do it.

I really don't think it's that deep. Besides, Mr. Minecraft doesn't have a smile on his face while he's killing chickens.They kill animals to eat- not for the pleasure.