How to Stop Playing Minecraft

Welcome to our guide on How to Stop Playing Minecraft. If you find yourself playing Minecraft too much, then we will show you step-by-step how to stop and start being more productive in your life.

Back in 2011, when Minecraft was first released, I tried the game for the first time. I was impressed by the simplicity, how it made me think out of the box and how different it was from any other game I had tried before.

After spending a couple of hours with the game, I realized just how deep it was and how creative I could get with it. Creating a base, fighting off creepers, and collecting resources felt so novel. I spent several hours playing the game without realizing it. Before I knew it, I became a Minecraft addict.

And I’m not the only player who developed a problem. This gaming addict who stole from his parents was also addicted to Minecraft: “I got really into Minecraft because all my friends were playing it. The idea of multiplayer games was so attractive. All of us could play at the same time and have fun together! Even now, I associate Minecraft with happy memories.”

Minecraft addiction is a serious problem. It is one of the most addictive video games globally, and it’s particularly problematic for parents of children who suffer from this type of addiction.

Why Minecraft is so Popular – Stats & Figures

Minecraft is one of the most accessible video games in the world. The game is available on all gaming consoles and devices. It is popular amongst children and adults, especially those with ADHD and Autism. Educational institutions also use the game for teaching purposes. 

There’s no surprise the game took off so quickly. From 2016 to 2020, the monthly player count for Minecraft increased from 40 million to a whopping 131 million, making it one of the most popular games in the world. It’s also the best-selling game of all time, with more than 200 million sales since 2011.

At first sight, this game seems so harmless. You’re just building your base and mining some resources. 

However, it is a huge time sink, and its design can be addictive. Forum users report their average length of a Minecraft session is 5-6 hours.

The game involves several features that can make it addictive, including:

• The social aspect of the game allows you to play with other people and make new friends
• The game is very immersive
• It provides you with a platform to grow (in the game)
• It’s easily accessible thanks to low age restrictions
• It inspires creativity

The biggest problem with Minecraft addiction is that it has a low age requirement of 10+, which means that children play this game and get addicted to it.

It’s also available on many platforms, including PC, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

Parents from all over the world are voicing their concerns about Minecraft addiction. It seems as though the game affects children between the ages of 12 and 16 in particular. Perhaps, surprisingly, the average age of a Minecraft player is 24 years old, meaning Minecraft addiction can affect players of all ages.

Minecraft is also a popular game to watch on streaming platforms YouTube and Twitch. According to SullyGnome, Twitch Minecraft streams were watched over 774 million hours in the past year, increasing by 495 million. Streamers and YouTubers such as TommyInnit, GeorgeNotFound, Dream, Tubbo, RanbooLive, and PewDiePie make new content regularly for players to watch and follow.

Minecraft is a community to be a part of that extends beyond just playing the game. This sense of community can lead to an increased desire or need to play Minecraft.

Addicted to Minecraft? 7 Symptoms

So how do you know if you are addicted to Minecraft? Reflect and see if you can spot any of the following symptoms of gaming addiction:

• Gaming is the main activity in your life, and you lack motivation for anything else
• You experience withdrawal symptoms when you are not playing, such as boredom, depression, anxiety, cravings, and irritation
• You want to play more and more, and it seems like no amount of Minecraft is enough
• You lie to friends or family members about your games
• You have no interest in other hobbies, especially sports
• You struggle to limit or control the amount of Minecraft you play
• Your mood is poor and negative

If you have five or more symptoms, you may suffer from gaming addiction and should seek support. 

Concerned about your gaming? Take the Video Game Addiction Test.

Here’s what a former Minecraft player experienced when he stopped playing: “I got hooked on Minecraft. I dropped my major and three more classes. I had spent two years in college and passed only seven classes. After two weeks of being free from gaming, I had my mind back. I had clarity.”

Below you will learn how to stop playing Minecraft, but if you play other games, then it’s best if you quit them, too. Respawn is a program that will help you stop gaming and get your life back on track. Alternatively, consider speaking to a video game addiction therapist.

How to Stop Playing Minecraft – A Guide

When deciding to stop playing Minecraft, you can stop playing entirely or start playing in moderation. If you are going to play in moderation you may want to consider changing to a game like Among Us or Overwatch 2. 

If three or more of the symptoms above are present, we suggest you stop playing for 90 days. Use this time to break bad habits and build new ones. 

Here are the steps that you can take to stop playing Minecraft.

Step 1: What is Your Motivation?

Take some time to think about why you play Minecraft and why you want to stop. The more clarity you have on why you are doing what you are doing, the easier it will be to take positive action to change it.

These are the four main reasons why people play video games:

• Temporary Escape
• Measurable Progress
• Challenge
• Socialization

Minecraft offers all of those aspects. You can escape into a virtual world, you can grow your character, the game is challenging, and you can spend time with your friends, as well.

So why do you want to stop playing Minecraft? Are you spending too much time with the game? Do you want more real-life interactions? Are other areas of your life being neglected because of Minecraft?

Understanding how Minecraft affects your life is a strong motivating factor in stopping playing when it gets challenging.

Step 2: Start a 90-Day Detox

The next step is to quit Minecraft and other games for a 90-day detox. Taking a 90-day break from gaming will help you break bad habits caused by gaming. 

You may find it helpful to delete Minecraft from your computer, along with other games that have caused problems for you in the past. Although this can be intimidating, it will be worth it if you commit yourself fully to improving your life.

90-days without Minecraft may be challenging, especially during the first few days. You might experience withdrawal symptoms like boredom, anxiety, and depression – but don’t give up. Withdrawal symptoms are a normal part of the process, and it will get easier over time.

Remember why you want to quit playing Minecraft and think about the opportunity to change your life. Instead of wasting your time in Minecraft, build skills in the real world.

And the 90-day detox challenge can be very effective. Just take a look at James’ example, who is a 40-year old dad who struggled with gaming addiction and found the detox helpful:

“It becomes easy to forget that the real world is, in fact, a massive multiplayer open-world sandbox. And one where you’ll find much more meaning and value than you will on a hard drive. Since finishing the 90 days, I have gone back and played a few games. And you know what? They don’t do it for me anymore. I’m much happier spending my precious time on other pursuits these days.”

If you’re a parent reading this, a 90-day detox may not be feasible for your circumstances, or your child. Speak with a professional who can help you make that decision. Book a consultation today.

Step 3: Find Replacement Activities

You must replace your time playing Minecraft with activities that address the needs Minecraft did. If you enjoy Minecraft for its creativity, find hobbies that allow you to get creative.

We have created a comprehensive list of 60+ hobby ideas that you can try out. Alternatively, you can try out our hobby tool, which will help you find activities that you’ll love doing.

Tip: Be patient. When you are trying new activities, you may not find your passion right away. But hang in there, and over time, you will find many activities you love.

Step 4: Don’t Be Afraid to Find Help

Many people like you struggle with playing too many hours of Minecraft. You are not alone, and support is available. 

Here are a few more things you can try:

• Join an online community like the Game Quitters Forum or the StopGaming community on Reddit.
• Find a therapist who specializes in gaming issues in our directory.
• For players, get a copy of our guide, Respawn. It will walk you through step-by-step exactly how to quit playing video games in even more detail.
• For families, our signature family program, Reclaim, will help you reduce arguments at home and build a plan for your family to get gaming under control.