Parents, It’s Time to Get Real About Minecraft

This game is not as innocent as many believe. Hear this parent’s cautionary tale.

As someone who frequently speaks to parents about the scientific risks of gaming on young, developing brains, I’ve heard all kinds of questions. When I explain the addiction science and recommend avoiding video games as a primary source of entertainment through adolescence, most parents nod in agreement at first. But inevitably, during the Q&A, someone raises their hand to ask:

“I know you said no video games… but what about Minecraft?”

Ah, yes. What about Minecraft?

It’s no surprise parents often view Minecraft as the exception to the gaming rule. On the surface, it seems so much more innocent than other games. Parents see their children “building” virtual worlds and mistake this for meaningful creativity or learning.

Why Do Parents Let Minecraft Slide?

The misconceptions surrounding Minecraft are powerful. Even though they have never played it themselves, many parents assume it’s “safe” because:

• It looks creative and educational.

• It doesn’t feature overt violence at first glance.

• It appears “porn-proof” (though a quick internet search for “Minecraft sex” is enough to disprove that myth and cause many parents to delete it).

But these assumptions are part of the problem. Minecraft may not look as aggressive as a first-person shooter, but its addictive design operates the same way. It hooks kids into endless hours of gameplay and distracts them from real-life experiences, responsibilities, and relationships.

Though it might look like “digital LEGO” at a glance, Minecraft is designed to be just as addictive as every other popular video game (think: Fortnite, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft). And like all addictive video games, it comes with a dark side.

In fact, there are now multiple lawsuits—many filed within the last few months—against Minecraft’s creators for intentionally designing their game to hook young users. These lawsuits highlight links to gaming addiction, depression, and other mental health challenges.

Just as one drug can belong to a broader class of harmful substances, Minecraft is part of a class of video games engineered to exploit children’s brain chemistry for profit—made even more insidious by its deceptively innocent appearance. Because of this, some refer to Minecraft as a gateway drug.

Real Stories from Real Families

At ScreenStrong, we don’t need lawsuits to alert us to the dangers of Minecraft. Families regularly share how a seemingly “harmless” Minecraft hobby quickly spiraled into an all-consuming obsession. I received a story just a few weeks ago from a parent name Rochelle whose son’s casual Minecraft hobby quickly spun out of control. Luckily, using ScreenStrong’s resources, Rochelle was able to save her son from the pull of the game and reclaim her young family.

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Our ScreenStrong Story: How We Got Our Son Back from Minecraft

Our ScreenStrong story began when our sons were 7, 5, and newborn. Until then, we were a fairly low-tech family, limiting screen time to 45 minutes of cartoons daily and avoiding other digital distractions. But when our oldest son turned 7, he asked to play Minecraft. He had heard about it at school, where it seemed like everyone was playing.

My husband and I were curious, so we looked into it. It seemed harmless enough—like digital Legos—and even educational and creative. Plus, it was offline, so we didn’t think we’d have to worry about online predators. Feeling reassured, we said yes.

At first, it seemed like no big deal. Our son loved Minecraft, and soon, it became a part of our lives: Minecraft books, bedsheets, hoodies—even a Minecraft-themed birthday cake I proudly baked for his 8th birthday.

But over time, we began noticing changes. Our son talked about Minecraft constantly. I don’t just mean often—I mean non-stop. His conversations about the game were excited but frenzied, almost manic. We tried to engage and show interest, but it became exhausting. Even his younger brother eventually told him, “I don’t want to talk about Minecraft anymore,” to which our oldest admitted, “I don’t think about anything else, even at school.”

That admission set off alarm bells. We started enforcing “Minecraft-free” zones: no talking about the game during dinner, family outings, or visits to grandparents. We also also limited his play to one hour on weekends only. But even with those limits, Minecraft consumed him. He read Minecraft books, played with Minecraft-themed Legos, and even wrote about Minecraft for school assignments. It felt like he was never fully present—always one foot in the digital world.

The tipping point came one night when my son tearfully confessed he had been sneaking downstairs in the middle of the night to play Minecraft on the iPad. It wasn’t just a case of disobedience—it was clear he was compelled to play.

That’s when I found ScreenStrong. Listening to Adam’s story and learning about the effects of video games on young brains was both eye-opening and validating. I shared what I learned with my husband, and though he was initially hesitant, he agreed: we had to remove gaming from our home altogether.

The results were immediate and astonishing. Within a week, our son was talking about other things again—and, more importantly, doing other things. He rediscovered his love for activities he had grown apathetic toward: bike rides, puzzles, trips to the beach. One evening, after a scooter ride with friends, he came inside and exclaimed, “That was heaven!” Another night, he begged to stay up a little longer to finish a puzzle.

As we continued to learn about the dangers of toxic screens, we shared what we discovered with our kids, making it clear that our decision came from love. The Kids’ Brains and Screens resource became a fantastic springboard for these conversations. I’m so grateful we made this change while our kids were still young, brimming with creativity and enthusiasm for life.

A few months later, on the way home from the observatory, my son said something that broke my heart: “Mom, I feel sad that I said my favorite thing that day was building a Minecraft tower. I really enjoyed doing things with Dad, and I think I made him feel bad when I said that. I regret it.”

I reassured him, telling him that we understood it wasn’t really him speaking back then—it was the game’s grip on him. I reminded him how happy we were to have him back, free from that hold.

He smiled and said, “I feel better now that I don’t play. The world seems brighter.” As we got out of the car, he hugged me and said, “I’m glad I have a mom like you.”

Thanks to ScreenStrong, we have our son back, and he has his childhood back. I’ll always be grateful for that.

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It’s Time to Rethink Minecraft

Minecraft may look innocent, but don’t be fooled. The science is clear: all video games today, including Minecraft, are designed to keep your child playing longer and coming back for more—at the expense of their mental health and development.

Parents, it’s time to get real about Minecraft. Recognizing its risks is the first step toward creating a healthier, more balanced life for your family.

Help is Here!

If you’re concerned about your child’s video game use, as this mother was, ScreenStrong is here to help. Join our Connect group to access a supportive community of hundreds of families facing the same challenges. As a member, you’ll also gain tools like ScreenStrong’s 7-Day Detox to kickstart your journey.

Upgrade to our Connect Plus group for even more support, including access to the 30-Day Detox, a comprehensive step-by-step plan to remove gaming from your child’s life. You’ll also unlock an exclusive library of webinars, online videos, and expert talks designed to keep you confident and committed to making positive, lasting changes in your home. And to help your children better understand these changes, remember ScreenStrong offers the only book that explains the science behind kids’ brains and screens to the kids themselves.

Together, we can help you win the Minecraft battle in your home. Take the first step today to reclaim your child’s potential and restore the connection, balance, and joy your family deserves!

ScreenStrong Resources

Podcast - “Understanding Dopamine in Developing Brains with Dr. Anna Lembke”

Podcast - “10 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games with Olivia Bruner”

Melanie Hempe, BSN, is the founder of ScreenStrong, a nonprofit organization, and the author of the Kids’ Brains and Screens Series for students and parents. She is dedicated to preventing and reversing childhood screen addictions by providing scientific evidence and community for families around the globe. Her educational material is filled with everything she wished she had known before her oldest child suffered from a screen addiction. ScreenStrong has created what every family needs—education and the community—to skip toxic screens through adolescence so teens can reach their full potential.

Visit here for family resource materials and here for our Phone-Free Schools Guide, and visit ScreenStrong.org to learn more and join the community that is saving childhood.