Mojang
This morning, a wave of chatter on the internet caught me off guard. Apparently, Minecraft has a user-created sex mod? Not exactly the kind of topic I wanted to wrestle with at 7:30 a.m. on a Monday while I attempted to enjoy my oatmeal and coffee, all while battling fatigue and the grumbling of my kids about their socks.
Honestly, 2016 has been filled with enough controversy and distasteful content. Couldn’t we keep at least one thing innocent? Unfortunately, it seems not.
After dropping my kids off at school, I took a moment to breathe and typed “Minecraft sex mods” into Google. The results were overwhelming—mostly YouTube videos. It turns out that in the mobile version of the game, players can install mods that allow for some rather uncomfortable scenarios involving pixelated characters engaging in explicit activities.
I managed to watch a couple of these videos (well, just one). I couldn’t get past the sight of a “gangsta” Minecraft character with a bikini-clad figure in the back of a pixelated brothel. Yes, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds.
Initially, I felt relieved that my 9-year-old, an avid Minecraft player, doesn’t use the mobile app. But then reality hit—I remembered he spends countless hours watching Minecraft videos on YouTube.
As I scrolled through the platform, I noticed some videos were restricted to users 18 and older, yet many others appeared without any barriers. It dawned on me how easily my son could stumble upon one of these inappropriate videos, click without understanding, and be exposed to something he’s not ready for.
You might argue, “It’s the internet. What did you expect?” There are countless individuals online who don’t consider the impact of their content on innocent kids enjoying Minecraft. Why did I ever think my child was immune to such exposure?
I’ve always viewed Minecraft as a wholesome game. My son even participates in an after-school class focused on its educational edition! This game promotes creativity, teaches about architecture, and encourages kids to build and explore—all while providing parents a moment of peace without the guilt of screen time.
Now, it seems that children can also encounter half-dressed characters in pixelated scenarios. What a letdown. Is nothing sacred anymore?
After school, once I’ve collected myself, I’ll need to discuss this issue with my son. Thankfully, we maintain an open dialogue about topics like sex, so I hope it will be a straightforward conversation. However, I’m not quite prepared for the possibility that he may have already come across this content.
This situation serves as a wake-up call for me and likely for many parents. The stark reality is that despite our best efforts to restrict internet access, there’s a high likelihood our kids will encounter inappropriate content online at some point. A study published in Pediatrics revealed that 42% of kids ages 10 to 17 have stumbled upon porn online, with 66% of them indicating that the exposure was unwanted. So, it’s not a question of if, but when.
I’m relieved that I’ve already had the initial “sex” talk with my tween. However, it appears I now need to have another conversation about the problematic aspects of online content—explaining that while consensual adult material isn’t shameful, it’s not something children should unwittingly encounter.
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In summary, the emergence of explicit content related to a beloved game like Minecraft serves as a reminder for parents everywhere. While we strive to protect our children from inappropriate material, the reality of the internet means we must be proactive in discussing these topics openly and honestly.