Minecraft parental controls: multiplayer, chat and friends
By Lewis C. Checked against Minecraft's own parental controls guide and PEGI on 1 October 2026. We wrote this from the official guide and haven't yet checked every screen on our own device. Spot a menu that doesn't match? Tell us.
Quick answer
Minecraft is PEGI 7. Its controls live in your child's Xbox/Microsoft account, whatever they play on. Sign in at account.xbox.com/settings as the parent, pick your child, then decide whether they can play multiplayer, add friends, and who can talk to them. Keep the game updated: Minecraft doesn't offer safety features on versions older than 1.16.4 or on modded games.
Step 1: a child account linked to yours
Minecraft (Bedrock and Java), Minecraft Dungeons and Realms all need an Xbox or Microsoft account, even on a Switch, PlayStation or tablet. Children get a child account, which has to be linked to a parent's Microsoft account. Only the parent account can change settings.
Step 2: multiplayer and Realms
Go to account.xbox.com/settings, pick your child, and open Online Safety:
- You can join multiplayer games: allow or block.
- You can create and join clubs: allow or block. You need multiplayer or clubs allowed for Realms.
- You can add friends on Xbox Live: allow or block.
Step 3: chat
Open the Privacy tab and find Others can communicate with voice, text, or invites. Choose Everyone, Friends or Block. For younger children, Friends is a good middle ground, as long as you know who their friends are.
Step 4: reporting and muting
On Java Edition servers, the pause menu has Player Reporting. Your child can hide one player's messages, or report abusive messages to Minecraft's moderators. Show them where it is before they need it.
Step 5: the device's own controls
Screen time and spending limits are set on the console, tablet or phone: see our Switch, PS5, Xbox, iPad and Android guides.
Questions parents ask
What age is Minecraft for?
PEGI rates Minecraft 7, for mild, non-realistic violence and some sounds or pictures that may scare young children. The online side is where you need the controls.
Where are Minecraft's parental controls?
In your child's Xbox or Microsoft account, not in the game. Sign in to account.xbox.com/settings as the parent, pick your child, and use the Online Safety and Privacy tabs.
Can I stop my child playing Minecraft online?
Yes. In the Online Safety tab, leave 'You can join multiplayer games' and 'You can create and join clubs' blocked. That also stops them joining Realms.
Can strangers talk to my child in Minecraft?
Only if you allow it. In the Privacy tab, set 'Others can communicate with voice, text, or invites' to Friends or Block.