Content suitability
While the mobs may be scary or overly frustrating for younger children, single player contains no coarse language, no sexual references, no drug references, and no blood. There is combat, but it is in the context of survival, not gratuitous killing and is almost not animated.
In multiplayer other people on the server may use coarse or inappropriate language when using the in game text chat. This can be prevented by running a private server, where you control who can play on it.
Educational benefits
Minecraft can have a huge educational benefit for children. Minecraft can help teach a mirriad of subjects both with and without adult involvement. Learning in Minecraft can be faster than traditional ways of education, as children are often far more motivated, get lots of practice and feel that what they are learning is useful.
| Subject | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Reading | The names of the things in the inventory are great things to start learning to read, for older kids reading the wiki and guides can extend their skills. |
| Math | There is crafting for basic math (e.g. I need 3 sugar cane for paper) which transitions to multiplication (I need 3 paper for a book, and 3 books for a bookshelf, so I need 9 paper all together) and division (I get 3 paper per sugar cane so 9/3 = 3 sugar cane per bookshelf). |
| Geometry | When your kids show you their creations, use it as an opportunity to name the shapes they used (cube, cuboid, square based pyramid e.t.c). Combined with number math, counting the number of blocks were dug out when making a 6x6x3 cave can help multiplication skills and understanding of concepts like volume and area. |
| Music | If they or you are into music and you are up to doing a little redstone work, then experimenting with note blocks can teach about notes, octaves and chords. |
| Social skills | If a private server for your kids some of their friends, then communicating through VoIP (if they are younger) or the inbuilt text chat (if they are older) will help them with their social skills, especially teamwork. |
Mojang have recognised the educational potential Minecraft offers and have partnered with www.minecraftedu.com to provide Minecraft 50% cheaper for educational institutions.
Technical ability
Minecraft should be able to be easily set up by a parent, as it purely requires downloading it from the site, opening the download and logging in. It allows the username and password to be saved, meaning children only have to run the download, which can be placed on the desktop, and click login.
Setting up a server is much more intensive and will almost certainly require parental assistance even to about 12 or 13 year olds.