While Minecraft was never designed specifically for kids and teens, they have somehow become the largest demographic obsessed with the game. If you have kids between the ages of 8 and 14, all you hear is Minecraft, all you can see is your dear child glued to the tablet with an enchanted face, all you want is a teaspoon of understanding what's the big problem with Minecraft and kids? Let's take a look at this mystery together, I surely want to know what's going on!
Minecraft is an online Lego
I bet when you were 12 years old, you were raving about all those huge Lego sets - castles, pirate frigates, spaceships! But what you loved most was mixing them up and creating something new - like "Space pirates attack medieval castle and what happens next". The most interesting part was to build something completely new out of all these pieces, to create what you wanted.
Then to tear it down and make something even more impressive! That's what they do in Minecraft, except they even create all these blocks from scratch. It gives them the freedom of expression. Kids create their own worlds in their own way and then they go inside and play in their world - it's mind-blowing! Yes, the graphics are rough and fuzzy, but the first-person view is very immersive.
It's a never-ending story
As soon as one adventure is over, another one pops up, each success opens the door to new tantalizing possibilities, so there's absolutely no way for kids and teens to get bored. They are unable to break this circle voluntarily, unless you force them out of the game.
Minecraft is addictive because, like any other video game, it was created to put the player in a state of flux where one thing leads to another, always keeping them focused and interested. However, it does this in its own way, as there is no end goal, no instructions - just a medium with infinite possibilities - and of course, your imagination to create your own stories.
Minecraft allows them to learn
Yes, children love to learn, as long as you don't call it learning. Due to the outdated educational system that persists in most schools, kids think that learning is always boring because in their world it means sitting around and cramming for good grades. In fact, our brains are wired to love learning, we practically blow off steam by exploring and finding new ways to do things, and in prehistoric times, games were created for just this purpose: to teach us new skills.
So basically, all kids do is learn - and Minecraft is no exception. They learn how to solve puzzles, they learn how to dig up the necessary information in the Minecraft wiki, they seek advice from their more experienced peers, they research on the Internet - and they will need these skills later in this cyber world of ours!
It's a Paleolithic experience
The gameplay of Minecraft... Well, it's confusing. Basically, you fight monsters at night, and during the day you create tools to survive, using the raw materials you find around you. And that's it. The rest is up to you. Your game is what you want it to be. Sounds a lot like life in primordial times, doesn't it? No wonder tweens and teens are so obsessed with Minecraft - in our ancestors' time, that's what they were doing at the age of 12 - trying to start an independent life in the wild, making it as comfortable as possible with the few tools they have, exploring and surviving as long as possible.
Minecraft is so enjoyable because it provides the experience that fits their behavioral and developmental needs at this stage of their ontogeny, mimicking the development of our species. If that sounds too far-fetched, think about why 5-year-olds love to run around with sticks and bats like real savages, crushing everything in their path. Now think about why older teens are into Tolkienesque and medieval stuff.
The Minecraft experience isn't just about the game
Ever wonder where all those hours your child spends on YouTube go? Chances are, he's watching others play Minecraft. Recording your gameplay and creating these YouTube videos is another way to share their experiences and brag about what you've achieved and created. They watch these videos to learn tips and tricks about the game. These recordings are tutorials, where the gurus of the game share the "secrets of the trade" (or should I say "crafting"?) So, kids watch them to know, what they can do next and how they are going to achieve it.
Minecraft has created a huge community, and that sense of fandom bonding is surely familiar to everyone, whether their devotion lies in "Star Trek", Marvel comics, "Harry Potter", or whatever. Kids play together, talk about Minecraft, read about it, watch others, and even create Minecraft-inspired art and Halloween costumes.
Minecraft is their usual kid's game in a cool adult form
This sandbox game is absolutely irresistible because it combines the most addictive features of video games with playful activities that are so natural for kids - imaginary adventures in a fantasy world, chases, imaginary dangers, and of course, building from blocks.
Kids are simply doing what they used to do, but in a digital space, which makes them feel cool and mature instead of childish. Yet nothing makes them feel as badass as discussing Minecraft in front of their gaming moms and dads - "Look, guys, I'm just like you!" However, sometimes they are absolutely not ready to navigate all the pitfalls of this medium.
The downsides and what you can do about it
Kids are always super passionate about whatever fascinates them (we all remember them going through the "pink princess" and "superhero" stage). However, how do you distinguish this habitual childhood obsession from addiction? If your child doesn't recognize reasonable boundaries and throws a tantrum, when it's time to put the iPad away and do something other than building, exploring and slaughtering cube sheep - you probably have a problem on your hands.
If, after the tantrum, his only solace is watching YouTube tutorials or talking about that miserable game over and over to his buddies, you definitely need to do something. If your child is lying about how much time he or she spends in the game, playing it in secret, being agitated, moody and sleep-deprived, you need to take immediate action.
First, you need to negotiate boundaries and get your child to respect them. You can monitor his or her device using Pumpic, McAfee, Clean Router or similar parental controls to ensure that the little rascal doesn't engage in mining activities in class or at night when you're not around. For security reasons, you can also create your own private server for your family only. This will ensure that no strangers will disturb your child in the common chat and no grievances will ruin the game for them.
Secondly, you should play Minecraft yourself - it would help a lot because you would have a common starting point, a shared experience. Make it your common hobby, show your appreciation for what the game has to offer (and that's a lot, as we had the opportunity to convince ourselves). Then, lead by example, teach your child how to enjoy video games in a healthy and not unreasonable way.
Also, make sure your child is mature enough to play the game, understands the mechanics, doesn't struggle with the obscure controls and functions, and isn't afraid of the monsters.
Minecraft is an opportunity to teach your children how the world of video games can add value to our daily lives without overwhelming them, because another obsession will soon come along.