Is your child a Clash of Clans fan? It seems to be the latest game craze at the moment, and with one million 5-star reviews on the Apple Store it’s obviously proving popular. So what do parents need to know about this game? Here is our Clash of Clans: Parents Guide:
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What is Clash of Clans?
Clash of Clans is a strategy game in which players build a community, train troops, and attack other players to earn gold and elixir, which can be used to build defenses that protect the player from other players’ attacks, and to train and upgrade troops. Features include:
Buildings, Gold & Elixir
The aim is to build your village into an unbeatable fortress. To earn and store gold and elixir, players must build gold mines and gold storages and elixir collectors and elixir storages, respectively. Elixir is used to train new troops, carry out research in the laboratory to upgrade troops and to build and upgrade certain buildings, mostly pertaining to buildings used in attacking another player’s base. Gold is used to build defensive buildings and to upgrade the town hall, which allows access to more buildings and higher levels for existing buildings
Gems
Aside from gold and elixir, the game also uses gems as a currency. You earn them by reaching milestones (or paying for them!).
Raising Your Army
You have to raise your own army of Barbarians, Archers, Hog Riders, Wizards, Dragons and other mighty fighters.
Battling and Clans
The game includes:
- Battling with players worldwide and take their Trophies
- Joining together with other players to form the ultimate Clan
- Fighting against the Goblin King in a campaign through the realm
Defending Your Village
You have to try to defend your village with a multitude of Cannons, Towers, Mortars, Bombs, Traps and Walls.
Age Ratings
Developers Supercell say that the game is only available to anyone over the age of 13, but there’s no requirement to put in date of birth when downloading and nothing to stop anyone under 13 downloading it if they have an Apple ID or Google Play account.
The age rating it has is due to mild fantasy violence.
Apple Store has it rated as 9+ yrs.
What Do You Play Clash of Clans on?
Clash of Clans is available for iOS and Android devices.
How Much Does it Cost?
It is free. However there are in-game purchases.
Clash of the Clans on YouTube
There is an official Clash of Clans YouTube channel which has lots of videos on topics such as
- How to get started;
- Clash of Clans tips for playing;
- Clash of Clans strategy.
Here are 2 YouTubers who do videos about playing Clash of Clans:
Tips for Parents if Kids Playing Clash of Clans
#1. Control how, what and how long
As with any other computer game or online activity, the trick is to control how they use it, what they do with it and how much time they spend playing it. You might find Screen Time: How Much is Too Much for Kids? and Tips for Managing Screen Time useful
#2. Encourage your children to show you
Ask your kids to show you what they have been building and doing on Clash of Clans.
#3. Limit play time
Limit their play time and you might say if you play 1 hour of Clash of Clans you need to do 1 hour of normal playtime.
#4. Play it yourself
Have a go at playing it yourself and get your child to show you the basics. This is one of the best ways of learning and understanding what it’s about.
#5. Keep an eye on what they do
Again, as with any online activity, make sure you have visibility on what they are doing on the game.
#6. Check in-app purchases option
Make sure in-app purchases are switched off for the app if you don’t wish to run up a bill.
Useful websites
We think the Parents page on the Supercell website is good, if you’ve any concerns you can contact them.
You might find these Clash of Clans websites useful:
You might also find The Only Minecraft Guide for Parents You Need to Read, 10 Tips for being a “Webwise” Parent and 5 Tips for Parents on Tablet and Smartphone Online Safety useful.
Over to you know, what’s your experience of your child playing Clash of the Clans? Any tips? Share them in the comments below.
About the Author: Jill Holtz
