Minecraft safety: servers, chat and Realms
Minecraft is creative and educational, but multiplayer servers bring chat and strangers. How to set up Minecraft safely for your child's age.
- Single-player and private worlds with friends are low risk.
- Public servers bring chat with strangers and varied moderation.
- Use Xbox and Microsoft family settings to control multiplayer, chat and purchases.
Minecraft is one of the best-loved games for children: building, exploring, surviving and creating. Many schools use Minecraft Education. Most of its risks come from multiplayer play with people your child doesn't know.
Ways to play
| Mode | Risk level |
|---|---|
| Single-player | Low: no chat with others |
| Local multiplayer (same Wi-Fi) | Low: friends and family in the same place |
| Realms (private servers) | Low to moderate: invite-only worlds with chosen friends |
| Featured servers (Bedrock) | Moderate: large public servers with moderation |
| Public servers (Java and others) | Varies: from well-run to unmoderated |
The two versions
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition): on phones, tablets, consoles and Windows. Uses a Microsoft account, and Xbox family settings control multiplayer and chat.
- Minecraft: Java Edition: on computers. Also uses a Microsoft account. Players can join thousands of community servers.
Setting it up
Microsoft family settings
Create a child Microsoft account in Microsoft Family Safety or the Xbox Family Settings app. From there you can control:
- Whether your child can join multiplayer games
- Who they can chat and communicate with (everyone, friends, or no one)
- Purchases in the Minecraft Marketplace (Ask to buy)
- Screen time on Xbox and Windows
See console parental controls.
In the game
- Turn off chat or set it to friends only for younger children.
- Use Realms for playing with friends you know.
Public servers
Public servers vary. Some have strong moderation and family-friendly rules; others have little. Risks include:
- Chat with strangers, sometimes inappropriate
- Players trying to move kids to Discord. See Discord safety.
- Griefing (destroying others' builds) and bullying
- Servers selling ranks and items for real money
If your child wants to join a public server, look at it together: its rules, moderation and community. Ask whether its Discord server is required.
Mods and downloads
Mods and add-ons can be great, but downloads from unofficial sites can contain malware. Stick to well-known sources and check with you before downloading.
Purchases
The Minecraft Marketplace sells skins, worlds and add-ons using Minecoins. Turn on purchase approvals.
The good stuff
Minecraft encourages creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. Try building something together, or ask your child for a tour of their world.
eGuard sets up screen time, bedtime and app rules on your child's phone and checks that each one is really on. Free for one child.