How to Check and Adjust Privacy Settings on Minecraft (A Parent’s Guide)
Are you worried about your child’s safety while playing Minecraft? Learn how to check and adjust privacy settings on Minecraft to protect your child online, manage multiplayer access, and control communication settings.
Minecraft isn’t just a game—it’s an amazing tool for creativity, problem-solving, and learning. It encourages kids to think critically, build structures, explore vast worlds, and even learn basic coding skills. Many schools use Minecraft Education Edition to teach subjects like math, science, and history in a fun, interactive way. With the right privacy settings, Minecraft can be a safe and enriching experience for young players.
Why Minecraft Privacy Settings Matter
Minecraft is a hugely popular game, but online multiplayer features can expose younger players to strangers. By adjusting Minecraft privacy settings, you can:
✅ Prevent unwanted communication
✅ Limit who can join your child’s game
✅ Control friend requests and chat access
✅ Keep your child’s online activity private
Step 1: Sign In to Your Child’s Microsoft Account
Minecraft uses a Microsoft account for online play, so privacy settings are managed through Microsoft Family Safety.
Open a web browser and visit https://account.microsoft.com/family
Sign in with your Microsoft account (the one managing your child’s profile)
Click on your child’s profile to access privacy settings
Step 2: Adjust Privacy & Multiplayer Settings for Minecraft
Click on “Privacy & Online Safety” in your child’s profile
Select “Xbox Privacy” (even if they play on PC, mobile, or Switch)
Scroll down to “Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10 devices Online Safety”
Here are the key Minecraft privacy settings to review:
🔹 “You can join multiplayer games” → Set to Off to disable online play with strangers
🔹 “You can communicate with others” → Choose Friends Only or Block to limit chat
🔹 “Others can see your online status” → Set to Off for more privacy
🔹 “You can add friends” → Turn Off if you want to prevent friend requests
Step 3: Check Minecraft’s In-Game Privacy Settings
Open Minecraft on your child’s device
Click Settings > Profile
Look for options like “Allow Chat” and “Multiplayer”—adjust as needed
Top Tip: You can also enable Minecraft parental controls in the game to further restrict online interactions.
Step 4: Use Parental Controls for Extra Security
For additional protection, consider:
✅ Microsoft Family Safety App – Monitor your child’s online activity
✅ Xbox or Nintendo Switch Parental Controls – Block chat or multiplayer
✅ Safe Chat Settings – Disable in-game communication
Encouraging Next Steps: Learning to Code and Build Games
If your child enjoys Minecraft, they might love learning coding and game development! Minecraft is a great introduction to game logic and programming, and there are plenty of resources to take their skills further.
Minecraft Education Edition & Code Builder – Teaches coding with block-based and Python programming
Roblox Studio – A free tool where kids can create their own games using Lua scripting
Scratch – A beginner-friendly coding platform where kids can build simple games. In our online weekly coding classes, our younger students from age 6 learn to code using this block-based coding platform.
Tynker & Code.org – Fun, interactive coding courses designed for young learners
Unity & Unreal Engine – For older kids ready to build full 3D games
By exploring coding, your child can turn their gaming passion into a creative skill and even a future career in tech! It’s a great way to help kids get ready for the future of work and the best time to start learning to code is when kids our young! Learning to code provides so many benefits and can have a positive impact on other areas of their education.
You may find these blogs useful: 3 Ways Coding Helps Kids Learn Mathematics, How Learning to Code is Similar to Learning a Foreign Language and Filling the Educational Skills Gap, Why We’re Passionate About Getting Children in to Coding Early
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Child Safe in Minecraft
By following these steps, you can make Minecraft safer for kids while still letting them enjoy the game. Set limits on chat, multiplayer access, and friend requests to reduce online risks.
For more hints, tips and advice for parenting in an increasingly digital future, download our Guide to Raising Future-Ready Kids.