"Minecraft" is a popular video game set in a 3D world the player can roam and explore. Since its release in 2011, it has become one of the most popular games of this generation, reports High-Def Digest.

There is no story in "Minecraft." The game objective is for players to "mine" or harvest materials from the virtual world and then "craft" those materials into blocks, food, tools and more. Kids enjoy the simple block graphics, addictive crafting and extended play time.

While players fight off aggressive monsters using swords and bows, parents will be pleased to know there is no blood or gore. The scariest part about the creatures encountered is the way they moan or suddenly appear out of thin air.

Still, parents are concerned about whether or not "Minecraft" is safe for children to play, especially when it comes to interacting with other kids and adults on a public multiplayer server.

Let's explore how the game works and address safety concerns.

3 Ways to Play "Minecraft"

There are three ways one can play Minecraft:

1. Gamers can play alone on a personal computer.

2. You can also play with a group of friends on a small local server. In this method, friends work together to build new structures, fight battles and more.

3. There is an option to play on a public multiplayer server with other players of all ages on the Internet. Players enjoy advanced gameplay and have access to more complex 3D worlds.

Safety Concerns for Children Playing "Minecraft"

According to Common Sense Media, "Minecraft" is a sandbox-style game that encourages creativity, problem solving, design thinking, strategic thinking, peer learning and resilience. While the video game has many benefits, there are two potential problems parents need to know about:

1. Offensive online content

Mine Mum reports that the game's flourishing online community is hosted by private servers where kids could be exposed to inappropriate language used by other players and offensive text messages.

There's also the possibility of another player knocking down your child's structures or building a "suggestively shaped" structure. The servers have moderators, but no different than Facebook or any social network -- some users will disobey the rules of etiquette.

The best way to avoid this problem is by not allowing children to engage in interactive online play.

2. Addiction.

The game involves collecting goods and building assets continuously from scratch, with which a player can become obsessed. Spending too much time playing "Minecraft" could interfere with homework, socializing and exercise.

Bottom line, playing "Minecraft" alone a personal computer is 100 percent safe and appropriate for all ages. If you're concerned about your child's safety on the web, this is the best way for them to play.

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According to High-Def Digest, "Minecraft" is the best-selling PC game of all time. Its Xbox 360 version was the most downloaded game title in 2012. It's also available on the Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

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