Chicken bald back

[soapdragon]

ES - aged 10 - has saved up birthday and Christmas money for a Hudl and has loaded it with Minecraft. Quite frankly I am surprised we have been able to keep him away from it until now as all the boys at the village school seem to play it. Even YS - aged very nearly 7 - has it on the laptop now (OH decided that it was only fair so that he could have his own and not pester big brother!)

 

We do limit the time spent on this, of course, and are strict about enforcing this limit but I have heard some very conflicting views on Minecraft. Some say its a bad thing..full stop whilst others seem to think that it does have some educational merit and is actually a good thing, tho in limited doses .

 

I am just interested to hear from other forum users who have similarly addicted children with their views !

[chickencam]

My 18 yr old DS discovered this last summer and spends a fair amount of time on it. IMHO there are worse things

[JellyBean2605]

From what little I've seen of it, it seems fairly harmless. Mostly for building things (and the possibilities seem endless). But there are different "modes" some of which may involve fighting etc, also people can communicate with each other anonymously

[mullethunter]

A colleagues' 9 yr old son plays it and he said the only unpleasant thing was killing and butchering a cow!

[Space Chick]

They did a South Park episode on it, about how the adults needed to have lessons from a child in secret as they just didn't get it. It was hilarious!

[Willow]

Much better than any other games IMO and does have educational value but very addictive. ES was into it in a big way the summer he did his GCSEs and I had to coax him not to play it on a week day during the exams. He'd build things with friends and get very upset when others destroyed what he'd built. The collaborative working meant ES friends got to know my nephew of the same age who ES is close to and make friends with him as well which was good.

[kinsk]

Have never played it but my niece and nephew do, 6 and 9. Their Mum is pretty choosy about what she lets them play and she's quite happy for them to play it.

[Redwing]

My 42 year old XBox obsessed man-child says its very suitable for children and pretty harmless

[Henny+penny]

All.my 3 children have played it 11,11,8 years old,and I think it is certainly a better game than many others. The eldest son just blew up big holes,my daughter made an amazing fairground ride. The youngest spent hours on 'creative mode' making really interesting buildings.Did enjoy flaming various animals..daren't say which on this forum.Overall not a bad game at all.I just restrict screen time.

[soapdragon]

Thanks all; I am reassured! As a total technophobe I don't understand any of the games and so tend to view them all with the same degree of suspicion but Minecraft doesn't sound so bad now!!!

[kissinuk]

I run 2 Code Clubs, at the start of each year I ask the kids about games and they always say Minecraft is their favourite! It's very popular with that age group although we haven't let our 8 year old near it yet (more because we don't have it than anything else).

 

But yes, as others have mentioned chatting with other players and violence is in there so use with caution, but apart from that they building element is brilliant.

[soapdragon]

I'm really not sure how we have managed to keep ES away from Minecraft so far - he is 10 - but I think maybe due to his Asperger's he doesn't socialise and 'share' life as much with his classmates as other neurotypical children would so was probably not as aware of it, per se!!!!

 

However, we NEVER let ES e mail or link up with people - if he wants to send a message to grandparents we vet it first! Sounds draconian but I attended a Safeguarding training session for school govenors (as I am one with responsibility for safeguarding!) and it was a real eye opener

 

A fair proportion of the content involved the internet, cyber bullying and, what really shocked me, sexting. Having done that course and written up the school policy I now have NO compunction about heavily censoring both computer use and e mail communications (ES isn't even allowed to give his e mail address out!)

 

Therefore, the kind of Minecraft that ES uses doesn't have the 'share' element!

 

The coding clubs sound brilliant; we have touched on this before on another thread, as I recall Sadly I have been unable to find a group near us or anyone willing to set one up

[kissinuk]

The coding clubs sound brilliant; we have touched on this before on another thread, as I recall Sadly I have been unable to find a group near us or anyone willing to set one up

 

Have you looked on thier website - you can search for a volunteer on the front page. If "Ooops, word censored!"ody is nearby ask the school to register on the site, hopefully someone will be willing to help.

 

https://www.codeclub.org.uk

[soapdragon]

OOOOOh, thanks! Will do!