Minecraft servers ...

2022-12-19

Knowing how to spot kid-friendly Minecraft servers is an important parent superpower to have. Not all Minecraft servers are equal when it comes to providing a positive environment for younger Minecraft players. I'll start with a quick overview of what I looked for in a Minecraft server before sharing my picks for the 10 best Minecraft servers for kids.
Allowing your child to join an online Minecraft server may feel scary. You might worry about their exposure to bad language, bad behavior, griefing, and unfamiliar players. These are all valid concerns but there are a few things you can do to mitigate the risks and increase the chances of your child having a great Minecraft experience.
Second, you'll want to find a Minecraft server that is safe and kid-friendly for them to play on. Use this simple checklist to find ones that work for your family, or to design a Minecraft server community of your own.
The culture of a Minecraft server reflects the values of the person or group running it. You want to find Minecraft server administrators that care about their Minecraft servers being kid-safe, so you won't feel like you have to hover all the time.
Three things to consider:
    Does the Minecraft server have a code of conduct with kid-friendly policies? Look for policies related to griefing, the use of hurtful, disrespectful or foul language, and the sharing of private information.

    Does the code explain what happens if a member violates it? Are they banned immediately or is there an effort to educate the kids or parents about appropriate behavior?

    Does the language in the code of conduct express values you care about as a parent? Connected Camps' Code of Conduct was written by our co-founders, who are Minecraft enthusiasts, educators, and parents. It includes values of friendliness, inclusion, and lending a helping hand to new Minecraft players. Look for values that align with your own.
Review their code of conduct and understand the process for reporting any incidents. If you have questions about the kid friendliness of a server contact the Minecraft server administrator and ask. If they respond quickly this is a good sign that if an incident does arise, it will be addressed in a timely manner.
Once you choose a Minecraft server read through the rules and code of conduct together with your child. Discuss the policies and ask questions, such as: “Do you think these are good rules ?” “Are you allowed to take items from other Minecraft players on this server?” “Can you give me an example of how you would ask for help if you needed it?”
Minecraft Players are “whitelisted”
One of the scariest parts of taking the step to let your child onto a public Minecraft server is not knowing who else will be on the Minecraft server. If it is important to you that some vetting processes be in place, look for “whitelisted” Minecraft servers.
On whitelisted Minecraft servers Minecraft players have to be approved to play and the Minecraft server administrator knows who is on the list. This typically involves completing and submitting a form with your child's Minecraft username, and verifying that you're a human and not a bot.
Once you receive notice that your Minecraft names were been added to the whitelist, they will be able to login under the approved username. Approval can take a few days so plan accordingly if your Minecrafter is itching to log on.
Whitelisted Minecraft servers often require the email of a parent, which can add another layer of security.
If you're ok with non-whitelisted Minecraft servers you should still look into who is on the Minecraft server. Does the Minecraft server cater to kids and families? Do they mention any particular age range in their descriptions of their Minecraft server or use terms like “kid-friendly,” or “family-friendly?”
While some kids thrive in public Minecraft servers with players of all ages, many do best at least initially, on Minecraft servers where most of the other players are kids, too.
Look for Minecraft servers that advertise kid-friendly, safe moderation. Moderated Minecraft servers have members of their staff online monitoring the Minecraft server for griefing and other unwanted behavior, as well as providing support for new or struggling Minecraft players. Know who is moderating the Minecraft server: is it moderated by parents, by trained staff, bots, or by other Minecraft players? Is the Minecraft server always moderated or only at certain times?
Knowing how a Minecraft server handles moderation can help you pick a Minecraft server that is a good fit for your family.