Who in their right mind thinks playing any video game with no limits is a good idea? The problem with this story is limits not set by parents, not the game itself.
Also, someone sue Lego for intentionally designing their toys to hook young users.
Exactly right. This article conveniently doesn't mention that there are robust parental controls that allow for parents to limit their children's use of video games which will both teach the kids self control and also prevent abuse of the games. And as a bonus allows parents to use the access as an incentive or punishment for behavior. Parents need to be aware and educated of the risks games can pose, but also about the tools available to help them control their children's access to games.
Keep in mind, LEGO is not affiliated with Minecraft in any way. Mojang Studios developed Minecraft. It just kind of "seems" like a digital version of the LEGO brick system, and it's a helpful visualization of what Minecraft is like to nonplayers.
Thanks - I'm aware. I've played Minecraft with my kid. And Legos.
I realize I made it sound like I think Lego made Minecraft. I was being facetious about games and toys being addictive. I used to play for hours with Legos as a kid.
Yeah, it's hard to blame the developer for just making a really fun game. Not all fun things are inherently bad; they just require discipline and moderation to be enjoyed responsibly, which kids definitely struggle with. This concept applies to all sorts of areas, even for adults, if not more so.
I apologize for not catching the sarcasm, haha. Tough to read over text! Rereading your comment, I see what you were saying now.
Minecraft is a great game but as this article lays out, it can be a consuming force. One thing that I've been enjoying doing is learning how to do some of my favorite things in Minecraft in real life. I'd suggest this is a great way to spend time with your kids. As a family watch some YouTube videos on leather working, sewing, metal working, baking, fire starting, pottery, electronics (i.e. "redstone"), whittling (with soap if they're little), etc. Then, as a family do some "crafting" in real life. Your kiddos will love it! If you really want to spoil them, get them a decent 3d printer and patiently learn with them how to use it. I think you'll be really blessed by the fruits of encouraging your children's creativity. Remember, we are made in the image of the great Creator. Soli Deo Gloria
Yeah this exactly. Most of the screenworld is complete consumption, Minecraft is so addictive because it offers a huge power of creation. I know a lot of adults who play it honestly. I do once a year for a week or two just for some enjoyment/nostalgia
Yes! Control is not the answer to gaming addiction, in the long run it teaches them to lie, creates unnecessary tension and ruins relationships. Connection and love is the proper approach. There is no other way to raise healthy children but to spend a lot of time and be creative with them.
That’s why parents should enforce screen time limits!
My kids love Minecraft everything. They play Minecraft, watch YouTube videos on Minecraft, etc (and so do I!). But we have screen limits. And we foster other interests outside of screens. Both of them play outside regularly, enjoy various crafts and board games, have hobbies, etc.
Don’t blame the game when there’s no parental willingness to help kids understand what is a healthy level of gaming and what isn’t.
Any game that cannot be “won,” as Minecraft is, is not a game at all. It is all pointless acquisition, lacking story, lacking the mythologal imperitive that grows the mind. A game, a REAL game, can be lost, or won.
So I’m a divorced single parent of three boys.. They are 15, nine and six.
I started allowing gaming about 10 years ago really just gave in. Against my better judgment.
My son who was around 10 or 11 at the time was already addicted to screens because we allowed him an iPad you since he was four or five. It allowed me to have the much needed break as a “married single mother”.
Once my husband and I got divorced, he started purchasing a Nintendo switch for our youngest to was only five at the time.
All three of my kids were heavily addicted to these games, they would rage and act violent when I took them away or set boundaries.
It was scary, to see something have this much of a hold over them.
The tipping point was about six months ago, where I told my ex to keep all of the screens at his house or I would get rid of them if they came back over here.
Now the kids are also blocked from the television because they watch YouTube shorts constantly.
It’s been a couple of weeks of no screens, other than a few family shows we have watched together, and my oldest is showing empathy in ways. I’ve never seen him show before. He’s 15 and the other day I was having a bad day and I said I just need a minute and I went over and sat on a chair in the living room, and he stopped eating his dinner, came over and sat next to me and laid his head on my shoulder. 🥹
There were a couple of other events similar to that which really surprised me because like I said he had not acted like that previously. He had also been showing signs of depression and was having a lot of suicidal ideation. The games were literally killing his soul.
It’s really really really difficult because there are not very many other kids around that. Don’t use a lot of screens.
It’s also been difficult because I’ve used the screens as a sort of second parent because I don’t have any other support. It’s not realistic for me to do everything on my own. So we are learning to create a new family together. It isn’t perfect, but it’s getting better.
Addiction very often stems from trauma. It sounds to me that your children were sort of self medicating with gaming. Divorce is a big deal for kids and they are not mature enough to deal with the pain in constructive ways. Not putting blame on you or anything, just pointing out that the harm of gaming might have been more noticeable because of their injured state to begin with.
My son had a traumatic experience in primary school and exactly during that time his gaming habits became severely unhealthy. He acted like a drug addict, raging and crying for his "dose" of escapism. We fixed the school problem and gaming addiction fixed itself over time. He is a gamer still, but much prefers shared activities with his friends or with family also loves reading and tending for pets.
I hope all of you will heal your hearts soon and your kids will be able to self regulate. ❤️ Best of luck!
We don’t have the game or any tablets for our kids, but found out that even allowing the “kid friendly” video game narrations of Minecraft on YouTube made our 6 year old like the kid described here. Two months ago we said no more. Now he’s back to his interests in Legos, ocean creatures, gardening, chickens, and drawing. He still talks about MC a little and saw the movie, but taking away the daily dopamine hits has drastically improved things.
Yes, let’s take anything fun and diverting and spin it into a crisis for profit.
My four children are not allowed to play video games until they have read a classic work of literature (War of the Worlds, The Wizard of Oz, Thermopylae, A Canticle for Leibovitz, etc) AND have passed an interrogative quiz on said book by their dad. Then he assigns an appropriate number of hours earned and, when their hours are up, game time ends. They then read another classic book; repeat.
Letting your children have unmonitored and unfettered access to *anything* pleasurable (digital or tangible) is an open door to obsession and danger.
Parents don’t need third-party intervention, they need to parent.
I am against Minecraft at young age because I have found that no matter how much (or how little) kids play it, it quickly becomes the center of their thoughts. It completely pushes out everything else, it's all they think about and all they talk about. I just don't like anything having such power and control over my child's mind.
This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard and that’s saying something
The recent critique of Minecraft as a "gateway drug" to digital addiction may be well-intentioned, but it promotes fear over facts, and generalization over nuance. It is not only misleading, but it undermines meaningful conversations around digital literacy, child development, and the role of technology in modern life.
Let’s be clear: Minecraft is not a perfect tool. No digital platform is. But comparing it to substances designed to chemically hijack the brain is a dangerous oversimplification. Minecraft is not heroin. It is not nicotine. It is not even in the same ethical or physiological category. Instead, it is a sandbox-style video game with educational, creative, and collaborative potential—used by millions of children, educators, and even therapists worldwide.
The Difference Between Use and Abuse
The emotional story shared about a child’s intense focus on Minecraft is compelling, but anecdote is not data. The fact that one child overused Minecraft—just as others might overeat sweets, obsess over books, or fixate on sports—does not make the platform inherently harmful. In every medium, there is a difference between healthy engagement and compulsive use.
Minecraft’s open-ended nature can encourage problem-solving, digital architecture, coding literacy, and even teamwork in multiplayer settings. Countless educators and researchers have used Minecraft in classrooms to teach everything from history to math. To claim these benefits are “mistaken” is to dismiss a wide body of legitimate educational use.
The “Addiction” Argument: Overused and Under-Proven
The alarmist tone surrounding "gaming addiction" often ignores key facts: the World Health Organization classifies gaming disorder as a rare condition affecting a small percentage of players. Most children who play games—including Minecraft—do so in moderation without any clinical impairment.
Blaming Minecraft for broader mental health issues ignores root causes such as family dynamics, stress, isolation, or lack of outdoor play. In fact, thoughtful integration of digital play can be part of a balanced lifestyle when guided by engaged parenting, age-appropriate limits, and open communication.
A Child’s Passion is Not a Pathology
The story criticizes a child who immersed himself in Minecraft and talked about it constantly, interpreting this enthusiasm as obsession or mania. But many children go through passionate phases—about dinosaurs, trains, space, or fantasy novels. Is a child obsessed with Harry Potter in need of a “detox,” or simply experiencing the joys of imagination?
Instead of shaming kids for what they love, we should ask better questions: What are they learning? Are they balanced in other areas? Are they socially and emotionally supported? Minecraft can be a part of a rich, creative childhood—especially when shared with peers, guided by adults, and blended with offline interests.
Misinformation About Lawsuits and “Porn-Proofing”
Mentioning lawsuits against Minecraft without context is misleading. The existence of litigation does not prove guilt or wrongdoing—especially in today’s digital landscape where virtually every major platform faces legal challenges. And raising the specter of “Minecraft porn” is a fear tactic divorced from the actual mechanics of the game. The internet contains inappropriate content for virtually every topic—this is a problem of online access, not Minecraft itself.
A Call for Reason, Not Panic
Rather than declare Minecraft as dangerous by design, we should focus on empowering parents to make thoughtful, informed decisions. That includes:
Understanding what your child is playing, and why they like it.
Playing with your child, or discussing their gameplay with curiosity.
Setting healthy boundaries around screen time while also valuing what they create or achieve digitally.
Teaching media literacy, critical thinking, and self-regulation—not just enforcing bans.
Minecraft is not the villain. Excessive screen time, lack of boundaries, and unchecked access to digital content are the real issues—and they require nuanced, evidence-based solutions.
Let’s stop vilifying the tools, and start educating the users. Let’s replace fear with understanding.
I was a Minecraft kid. I did spend thousands of hours playing, a lot of that online with others. I was a bit older though- the game came out when I was about 15. I do think compared to a lot of other games, Minecraft is different.
I hesitate to say it’s “designed” to be addictive, because I think what makes the game captivating is just inherent to why it exists at all: the power of unbridled creation. At least compared to much of the screen world, which is overwhelmingly consumption, Minecraft awakens creation.
Who in their right mind thinks playing any video game with no limits is a good idea? The problem with this story is limits not set by parents, not the game itself.
Also, someone sue Lego for intentionally designing their toys to hook young users.
Exactly right. This article conveniently doesn't mention that there are robust parental controls that allow for parents to limit their children's use of video games which will both teach the kids self control and also prevent abuse of the games. And as a bonus allows parents to use the access as an incentive or punishment for behavior. Parents need to be aware and educated of the risks games can pose, but also about the tools available to help them control their children's access to games.
Keep in mind, LEGO is not affiliated with Minecraft in any way. Mojang Studios developed Minecraft. It just kind of "seems" like a digital version of the LEGO brick system, and it's a helpful visualization of what Minecraft is like to nonplayers.
Thanks - I'm aware. I've played Minecraft with my kid. And Legos.
I realize I made it sound like I think Lego made Minecraft. I was being facetious about games and toys being addictive. I used to play for hours with Legos as a kid.
Yeah, it's hard to blame the developer for just making a really fun game. Not all fun things are inherently bad; they just require discipline and moderation to be enjoyed responsibly, which kids definitely struggle with. This concept applies to all sorts of areas, even for adults, if not more so.
I apologize for not catching the sarcasm, haha. Tough to read over text! Rereading your comment, I see what you were saying now.
Minecraft is a great game but as this article lays out, it can be a consuming force. One thing that I've been enjoying doing is learning how to do some of my favorite things in Minecraft in real life. I'd suggest this is a great way to spend time with your kids. As a family watch some YouTube videos on leather working, sewing, metal working, baking, fire starting, pottery, electronics (i.e. "redstone"), whittling (with soap if they're little), etc. Then, as a family do some "crafting" in real life. Your kiddos will love it! If you really want to spoil them, get them a decent 3d printer and patiently learn with them how to use it. I think you'll be really blessed by the fruits of encouraging your children's creativity. Remember, we are made in the image of the great Creator. Soli Deo Gloria
Yeah this exactly. Most of the screenworld is complete consumption, Minecraft is so addictive because it offers a huge power of creation. I know a lot of adults who play it honestly. I do once a year for a week or two just for some enjoyment/nostalgia
Yes! Control is not the answer to gaming addiction, in the long run it teaches them to lie, creates unnecessary tension and ruins relationships. Connection and love is the proper approach. There is no other way to raise healthy children but to spend a lot of time and be creative with them.
That’s why parents should enforce screen time limits!
My kids love Minecraft everything. They play Minecraft, watch YouTube videos on Minecraft, etc (and so do I!). But we have screen limits. And we foster other interests outside of screens. Both of them play outside regularly, enjoy various crafts and board games, have hobbies, etc.
Don’t blame the game when there’s no parental willingness to help kids understand what is a healthy level of gaming and what isn’t.
Any game that cannot be “won,” as Minecraft is, is not a game at all. It is all pointless acquisition, lacking story, lacking the mythologal imperitive that grows the mind. A game, a REAL game, can be lost, or won.
It actually can be won, and like most other games, it can be played even after the player has won
So I’m a divorced single parent of three boys.. They are 15, nine and six.
I started allowing gaming about 10 years ago really just gave in. Against my better judgment.
My son who was around 10 or 11 at the time was already addicted to screens because we allowed him an iPad you since he was four or five. It allowed me to have the much needed break as a “married single mother”.
Once my husband and I got divorced, he started purchasing a Nintendo switch for our youngest to was only five at the time.
All three of my kids were heavily addicted to these games, they would rage and act violent when I took them away or set boundaries.
It was scary, to see something have this much of a hold over them.
The tipping point was about six months ago, where I told my ex to keep all of the screens at his house or I would get rid of them if they came back over here.
Now the kids are also blocked from the television because they watch YouTube shorts constantly.
It’s been a couple of weeks of no screens, other than a few family shows we have watched together, and my oldest is showing empathy in ways. I’ve never seen him show before. He’s 15 and the other day I was having a bad day and I said I just need a minute and I went over and sat on a chair in the living room, and he stopped eating his dinner, came over and sat next to me and laid his head on my shoulder. 🥹
There were a couple of other events similar to that which really surprised me because like I said he had not acted like that previously. He had also been showing signs of depression and was having a lot of suicidal ideation. The games were literally killing his soul.
It’s really really really difficult because there are not very many other kids around that. Don’t use a lot of screens.
It’s also been difficult because I’ve used the screens as a sort of second parent because I don’t have any other support. It’s not realistic for me to do everything on my own. So we are learning to create a new family together. It isn’t perfect, but it’s getting better.
Addiction very often stems from trauma. It sounds to me that your children were sort of self medicating with gaming. Divorce is a big deal for kids and they are not mature enough to deal with the pain in constructive ways. Not putting blame on you or anything, just pointing out that the harm of gaming might have been more noticeable because of their injured state to begin with.
My son had a traumatic experience in primary school and exactly during that time his gaming habits became severely unhealthy. He acted like a drug addict, raging and crying for his "dose" of escapism. We fixed the school problem and gaming addiction fixed itself over time. He is a gamer still, but much prefers shared activities with his friends or with family also loves reading and tending for pets.
I hope all of you will heal your hearts soon and your kids will be able to self regulate. ❤️ Best of luck!
We don’t have the game or any tablets for our kids, but found out that even allowing the “kid friendly” video game narrations of Minecraft on YouTube made our 6 year old like the kid described here. Two months ago we said no more. Now he’s back to his interests in Legos, ocean creatures, gardening, chickens, and drawing. He still talks about MC a little and saw the movie, but taking away the daily dopamine hits has drastically improved things.
Love that one of his interests is chickens!
Yes, let’s take anything fun and diverting and spin it into a crisis for profit.
My four children are not allowed to play video games until they have read a classic work of literature (War of the Worlds, The Wizard of Oz, Thermopylae, A Canticle for Leibovitz, etc) AND have passed an interrogative quiz on said book by their dad. Then he assigns an appropriate number of hours earned and, when their hours are up, game time ends. They then read another classic book; repeat.
Letting your children have unmonitored and unfettered access to *anything* pleasurable (digital or tangible) is an open door to obsession and danger.
Parents don’t need third-party intervention, they need to parent.
This is genius! Also Canticle for Leibowitz is a top tier pick 👏
I am against Minecraft at young age because I have found that no matter how much (or how little) kids play it, it quickly becomes the center of their thoughts. It completely pushes out everything else, it's all they think about and all they talk about. I just don't like anything having such power and control over my child's mind.
This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard and that’s saying something
The recent critique of Minecraft as a "gateway drug" to digital addiction may be well-intentioned, but it promotes fear over facts, and generalization over nuance. It is not only misleading, but it undermines meaningful conversations around digital literacy, child development, and the role of technology in modern life.
Let’s be clear: Minecraft is not a perfect tool. No digital platform is. But comparing it to substances designed to chemically hijack the brain is a dangerous oversimplification. Minecraft is not heroin. It is not nicotine. It is not even in the same ethical or physiological category. Instead, it is a sandbox-style video game with educational, creative, and collaborative potential—used by millions of children, educators, and even therapists worldwide.
The Difference Between Use and Abuse
The emotional story shared about a child’s intense focus on Minecraft is compelling, but anecdote is not data. The fact that one child overused Minecraft—just as others might overeat sweets, obsess over books, or fixate on sports—does not make the platform inherently harmful. In every medium, there is a difference between healthy engagement and compulsive use.
Minecraft’s open-ended nature can encourage problem-solving, digital architecture, coding literacy, and even teamwork in multiplayer settings. Countless educators and researchers have used Minecraft in classrooms to teach everything from history to math. To claim these benefits are “mistaken” is to dismiss a wide body of legitimate educational use.
The “Addiction” Argument: Overused and Under-Proven
The alarmist tone surrounding "gaming addiction" often ignores key facts: the World Health Organization classifies gaming disorder as a rare condition affecting a small percentage of players. Most children who play games—including Minecraft—do so in moderation without any clinical impairment.
Blaming Minecraft for broader mental health issues ignores root causes such as family dynamics, stress, isolation, or lack of outdoor play. In fact, thoughtful integration of digital play can be part of a balanced lifestyle when guided by engaged parenting, age-appropriate limits, and open communication.
A Child’s Passion is Not a Pathology
The story criticizes a child who immersed himself in Minecraft and talked about it constantly, interpreting this enthusiasm as obsession or mania. But many children go through passionate phases—about dinosaurs, trains, space, or fantasy novels. Is a child obsessed with Harry Potter in need of a “detox,” or simply experiencing the joys of imagination?
Instead of shaming kids for what they love, we should ask better questions: What are they learning? Are they balanced in other areas? Are they socially and emotionally supported? Minecraft can be a part of a rich, creative childhood—especially when shared with peers, guided by adults, and blended with offline interests.
Misinformation About Lawsuits and “Porn-Proofing”
Mentioning lawsuits against Minecraft without context is misleading. The existence of litigation does not prove guilt or wrongdoing—especially in today’s digital landscape where virtually every major platform faces legal challenges. And raising the specter of “Minecraft porn” is a fear tactic divorced from the actual mechanics of the game. The internet contains inappropriate content for virtually every topic—this is a problem of online access, not Minecraft itself.
A Call for Reason, Not Panic
Rather than declare Minecraft as dangerous by design, we should focus on empowering parents to make thoughtful, informed decisions. That includes:
Understanding what your child is playing, and why they like it.
Playing with your child, or discussing their gameplay with curiosity.
Setting healthy boundaries around screen time while also valuing what they create or achieve digitally.
Teaching media literacy, critical thinking, and self-regulation—not just enforcing bans.
Minecraft is not the villain. Excessive screen time, lack of boundaries, and unchecked access to digital content are the real issues—and they require nuanced, evidence-based solutions.
Let’s stop vilifying the tools, and start educating the users. Let’s replace fear with understanding.
I was a Minecraft kid. I did spend thousands of hours playing, a lot of that online with others. I was a bit older though- the game came out when I was about 15. I do think compared to a lot of other games, Minecraft is different.
I hesitate to say it’s “designed” to be addictive, because I think what makes the game captivating is just inherent to why it exists at all: the power of unbridled creation. At least compared to much of the screen world, which is overwhelmingly consumption, Minecraft awakens creation.
https://open.substack.com/pub/clubroomconversations/p/the-children-yearn-for-the-mines?r=28gypt&utm_medium=ios
Worthwhile read!
Yes, Melanie!