How Popular Is It?
According to Thinkgaming.com, there are approximately 3.5 million daily players of Clash of Clans. While it’s tricky to gauge the exact number of players under 18, the game is immensely popular among children at schools—my own children’s friends are all talking about it. In fact, over half of my daughter’s fifth-grade classmates were engaged with the game last year, and my second grader knows several peers who play too.
What Draws Kids In?
The appeal lies in the strategic gameplay—kids enjoy building their villages and enhancing their armies while challenging others in battle. The social component of joining or forming clans adds to the excitement, with many players encouraging friends to join their clans or switching to higher-ranked clans for better competition.
How Can Parents Keep an Eye on It?
First and foremost, be aware that in-app purchases are a major part of Clash of Clans. While it’s possible to advance without spending money, the game’s free-to-play model has made it the top-grossing app on iTunes. Set clear limits regarding how much your kids can spend, if anything.
Next, consider who is allowed in your child’s clan. Clans feature an open chat window that is unmonitored and cannot be disabled, meaning your child could communicate with individuals from anywhere globally. Anyone can join a clan; while some have restrictions like “kids only” or “no cursing,” these rules are not enforced, so you may want your child to form their own clan and only invite known friends. In our household, my partner, a dedicated Clash of Clans player, joined the clan to help monitor the discussions, and I regularly check the chat.
Additionally, there’s the global chat tab, which is less than ideal. It’s an open forum where players can converse with minimal filters. Offensive comments can be flagged, but the punishment is simply a 24-hour ban—a rather lenient consequence. Unfortunately, there’s no way to disable this feature, so I’ve made it clear to my kids that they are not to engage with it, though I can only monitor their adherence through random checks.
Reasons for Parental Concern and Reassurance
Some parents might be put off by the combat elements of the game, yet I find it relatively harmless. While the theme revolves around warfare, there’s no explicit violence, and the game emphasizes strategic planning and teamwork among clan members, providing valuable learning experiences. Plus, it’s genuinely enjoyable.
However, I initially overlooked potential risks because my partner was an enthusiastic player. That changed when my then-10-year-old casually mentioned a clan member had told her to “buzz off.” Thankfully, she promptly removed him, but it opened my eyes to the app’s unknowns. After discussing with other parents, I discovered many were unaware of the chat and in-app purchase risks. Setting proper restrictions is crucial to avoid unexpected bills (remember the twins whose parents faced a $3,000 iTunes charge?), but the chat activity is where most parents should focus.
It’s essential to talk to your kids about not sharing any personal information in chat forums, especially in this context where they might not know who they’re interacting with. This includes their ages, locations, email addresses, or school names. It’s wise to ensure they choose usernames and clan names that won’t reveal personal details. Remind them that anyone they haven’t met in person is a stranger, regardless of how friendly they might seem online.
Lastly, be mindful that Clash of Clans can be quite addictive, so establishing playtime limits is a smart move. While clans don’t communicate directly during attacks, the random nature of opponents might be distressing for younger players, so ensure they’re enjoying the game and not taking it too seriously.
In summary, while Clash of Clans can offer strategic and social benefits, parental involvement is crucial to navigate the potential pitfalls of in-app purchases and unmonitored chats.
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Keyphrase: Clash of Clans for Parents
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