Latest writings

September 25, 2025

How Minecraft Saved Anna’s Finnish

When Finnish families move abroad, children’s mother tongue can easily fade in a foreign-language environment. This happened to Anna in Norway, until Minecraft and School of Gaming gave her the spark to strengthen her Finnish again.

Child learning languages through Minecraft

Parenting tips

August 22, 2025

Warning to Parents and Children Concerning “The Com” Network

The Police has issued a serious warning about the violent international network The Com, targeting children and young people online. At School of Gaming, we believe the best way to protect children from these threats is through safe and guided gaming.

Warning image about The Com network and protecting children online

Parenting tips

August 6, 2025

Screen Time Isn’t the Enemy - Common Sense Will See Us Through

Parents often fear that screens will turn children into unfocused “zombies,” but research and experience say otherwise. School of Gaming breaks down the difference between passive scrolling and creative gaming, shows why smartphones can sabotage attention, and offers a common-sense playbook: focus on content, set boundaries and play together. With curated PC games and guidance from game educators, screen time becomes a springboard for learning, teamwork and digital citizenship, not a threat.

Parenting tips

July 30, 2025

Gaming - A Great Hobby

The post tackles back-to-school chaos and shows how guided online gaming turns empty afternoons into safe, social, skill-building time. School of Gaming offers structured clubs, a free Gaming Safety Deal template, and weekly free trial sessions for every family.

Parenting tips

May 19, 2025

Teaching Digital Literacy to Children and Youth Is the Best Way to Prevent and Prepare for Societal Crises

A personal reflection from School of Gaming's EU expert group member and our Princi-Pal Mikko Perälä on why teaching digital literacy is Europe's best defense against disinformation, and how five million educators can become our most important force for peace and truth.

Digital Literacy is crucial for children and youth

Serious Business

May 1, 2025

Learning English Through Games

Our Principal shares how '80s adventure games taught him English and why Minecraft is now one of the best tools to learn languages through play. Backed by research and an invite to a free demo lesson!

Games and gaming

April 3, 2025

🎉 Big News: School of Gaming’s Princi-Pal Joins EU Expert Group on Disinformation & Digital Literacy

Our Princi-Pal has been selected to the EU Council’s expert working group on disinformation and digital literacy. A big recognition for School of Gaming’s educational approach using games to build critical thinking and digital resilience.

School of Gaming's Principal selected join the EU Expert Group on Disinformation and Digital Literacy

SOG News

April 2, 2025

Gaming Classes That Actually Grow Your Child - Not Just Their Score

Gaming classes are trending, but not all are created equal. Discover how to turn screen time into learning time with gaming classes that build critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and emotional skills.

Child Playing Minecraft with Adult Supervision: Fostering Creativity and Learning Through Gaming

Parenting tips

March 27, 2025

Our Online Summer Camps in 2025 - What to Expect?

School of Gaming's Minecraft and Game Design Summer Camps in 2025. Also for neurodivergent children! We’ve lowered our prices to make sure every gamer can join. Early Bird Discount up to €50! Act fast to save your spot!

SOG News

March 27, 2025

Summer camps that make your child more cultured and richer in thought

Our online summer camps turn play into growth. Every camp makes your child more imaginative, skilled, and socially savvy through epic Minecraft adventures and creative storytelling!

Games and gaming

March 20, 2025

Most kids don't like coding - This is how you make it interesting

Many children find coding uninteresting, even boring, but integrating it with game development can make learning engaging. This approach teaches computational thinking by breaking problems into manageable parts, recognizing patterns, generalizing solutions, and developing algorithms. Join our Game Studio sessions to experience this firsthand!

Parenting tips

February 28, 2025

Social Media Is Not Important - Life Is!

Social media is already causing significant harm among children and adolescents, and adults are not immune either. Time is short for making a change, but if we act now, we can still halt the current trajectory. Maybe one day, endlessly fiddling with a smartphone and scrolling through social media will seem just as uncool among young people as binge drinking does today.

Parenting tips

February 19, 2025

Forget Football and Ice Hockey - Fortnite Is a More Beneficial Hobby for Your Child

Is Fortnite actually a better hobby for your child than football or ice hockey? Discover how structured gaming teaches teamwork, strategy, and leadership without the stress of competition or endless driving. Try a Fortnite coaching session and see the benefits firsthand.

Parenting tips

February 11, 2025

What is BANI and Why Should Parents Care?

The world isn’t just constantly shifting. It’s becoming more unpredictable and complex. Back in the 80s, we were introduced to the term VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous), encouraging people to prepare for an uncertain future. But now, in the 2020s, experts are using a new term: BANI.

Parenting tips

January 29, 2025

Experiences from the Neurodiversity Friendly Minecraft Club

While video games always affect children differently, too little attention and media coverage have been given to their positive impact on neurodiverse children. Conversations about gaming and neurodiversity often focus on challenges and negative effects. The opportunities and benefits are discussed far less.

Games and gaming

January 7, 2025

Busting Myths About Gaming – It's Actually Good for You!

For years, video games have faced criticism for being addictive, antisocial, or harmful. However, recent studies and global data paint a very different picture. Gaming is not just a pastime but a significant contributor to mental health, emotional resilience, and even personal growth. Let’s dive into what science says about the benefits of gaming and how it debunks some long-held myths.

Debunking common myths about gaming: Discover recent research that proves video games reduce stress, build social connections, and enhance mental health.

Games and gaming

January 7, 2025

How Video Games Support Mental Health and Well-Being

Learn how video games improve mental health by reducing stress, fostering social connections, and promoting emotional resilience, supported by global research.

Games and gaming

December 3, 2024

Sonja Lappalainen

Game Festival is here again!

Game Festival celebrated the end of semester and brings gamer projects to the limelight. Amazing projects are on display once more. Event is streamed live in Youtube.

A poster of School of Gaming's Game Festival stating the time and the date. A framed image of kids in our Minecraft world.

SOG News

November 22, 2024

Schools Struggle to Teach Essential Digital Skills to Children

Global ICILS 2023 report on learning digital skills highlights gaps in digital literacy. Discover how School of Gaming uses Minecraft to teach computational thinking, teamwork, and digital confidence, preparing kids for the future.

Serious Business

November 20, 2024

Why Minecraft and School of Gaming Are a Perfect Match

Minecraft stands out as one of the most beneficial games for development. Playing it demands focus and dedication. At School of Gaming, our playful approach to fostering creativity and new skills ensures that our learning journey goes beyond technical skills, promoting critical cognitive growth in a safe and fun environment. Here's why we chose Minecraft - and why you should choose School of Gaming.

Games and gaming

November 18, 2024

Protect Your Child’s Creativity Before It’s Too Late

Discover how to protect your child's creativity from fading as they grow. Learn the surprising statistics on creativity decline and how play-based learning with School of Gaming can help keep the spark alive for future generations.

Games and gaming

November 14, 2024

This Holiday, Why Not Gift Togetherness Instead of Just Toys?

Explore unique intangible gift ideas that build togetherness and lifelong memories. From home LAN parties to virtual journeys, find sustainable, joyful ways to celebrate with your children this holiday season.

Parenting tips

November 14, 2024

Intangible and Developmental Gifts for Children

Christmas is here again! Hopefully, our children have earned their gifts this year too. For us adults, the greatest gift is the sincere joy and laughter of children, born from the anticipation of Christmas, the leisure of the season, and being together. Perhaps the gift packages also contribute to that joy, although it is true that only well-considered and thoughtful gifts bring genuinely lasting joy and happiness.

Parenting tips

November 11, 2024

How to Make Social Media Safer for Children and Teens

For many children and teens, apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube are part of everyday life. Kids use these apps to watch videos, share content, and connect with friends, but these platforms can also expose them to risks like bullying or harassment. In this post, we’ll share helpful tips on using safety settings on these platforms and add some School of Gaming advice on how to create a safe gaming experience, for example, in Minecraft.

Parenting tips

September 30, 2024

From Gamer to Game Designer: Why Fortnite Creative is the Ultimate Learning Tool

Gaming has become more than just a way to pass the time for today’s youth. It's a space where creativity, strategy, and social interaction come together. While many parents are familiar with their child’s love for games like Fortnite, there’s a growing opportunity within those games for something much bigger: creating. Fortnite Creative, coupled with Unreal Engine’s powerful tools, offers young gamers the chance to step into the role of game designer, learning skills that could shape their future.

Games and gaming

September 13, 2024

5 Fortnite Myths Parents Should Stop Worrying About (and What You Really Need to Know)

As a parent, it’s natural to be concerned about the games your child plays. Fortnite, one of the most popular games out there, often gets a negative reputation for being addictive, violent, or a waste of time. But what if we told you that many of these concerns are based on myths? In this article, we’ll debunk five of the biggest misconceptions about Fortnite and explain what you should really be paying attention to as a parent.

Parenting tips

September 3, 2024

Not Just Shooting - What Do Fortnite and Art Have in Common?

Explore how Fortnite and art blend in the "Art Heist" project, encouraging families to experience culture and gaming together.

Serious Business

August 16, 2024

Straight from Parents: This Advice Will Help You Reduce Gaming-Related Conflicts

Discover how moving your child's gaming from mobile phones to a PC can reduce conflicts at home. Learn about the benefits of better supervision, healthier gaming habits, and reduced exposure to gambling features and in-app purchases.

Parenting tips

August 8, 2024

Press Release: A Game Educator is a Safe Companion for Neurodiverse Gamers

It's important to support neurodiverse children in the digital world. The School of Gaming introduces a specialized Minecraft club designed to enhance the skills and confidence of neurodiverse children. Through guided play, children experience success, develop social skills, and learn in a supportive environment.

Serious Business

July 17, 2024

How Minecraft Enhances Skills in Neurodiverse Children Unlocking Their Potential

In our "Neurodiversity Friendly Minecraft Club," neurodiverse children engage in an online world that not only sparks joy but also supports significant developmental benefits. This blog post explores how playing Minecraft in a small, guided group can help enhance social interaction, communication, creative expression, and emotional regulation among neurodiverse children. By participating in structured adventures, these young gamers develop fine motor skills, cognitive flexibility, and a sense of achievement and belonging, all within a safe and inclusive environment. Discover the transformative impact of game-based learning on children with neurodiversity through our expert-led sessions.

Games and gaming

June 27, 2024

Important! Three Tips to Guide Your Child Towards Safe, Empathetic, and Developmental Online Gaming

Protect your child from toxic gaming culture with School of Gaming's expert advice. Learn three essential tips for guiding your child towards safe, empathetic, and developmental online gaming. Discover the benefits of moderated servers, engaging discussions about gaming activities, and incorporating gaming education into your child’s hobbies.

A friendly and educational scene showing a parent and child discussing video games with Minecraft elements in the background.

Parenting tips

June 27, 2024

Is Your Child Becoming the Lord of the Flies?

Discover the importance of supervised gaming environments for children. Learn how School of Gaming's guided gaming education prevents toxic behaviors in online gaming, creating a respectful and safe online culture. Find out how we help parents and gamers create positive gaming habits and understand the consequences of their actions.

Two kids lost in the Gaming Jungle. Angry animals and ghosts around them

Parenting tips

May 26, 2024

Let’s Blame the Kids, Because It’s Easy

Blaming youth for societal issues like unemployment and screen addiction is simplistic and misleading. This blog explores deeper structural problems that adults need to address.

Serious Business

May 19, 2024

A Healthier Way to Play

Game-Based Education Offers a Healtier Way to Play. There is a significant difference between playing on open servers and participating in supervised activities, such as a gaming club where activities are guided by professional game educators. In this blog post, these differences are explored and a view why supervised gaming clubs offer a healthier and more enriching gaming experience is explained.

Games and gaming

May 13, 2024

Online Gaming Camp – A Safe Training Ground for Camp Life

Exhilarating summer camps are the highlights of every child's vacation. But what if one could also experience camp life virtually? Online gaming camps offer excellent opportunities, especially for shy children to practice social skills before heading to summer camps or even a trip to grandma's.

Parenting tips

May 2, 2024

Niina Meskus

Game Festival is here again!

Game Festival celebrated the end of semester and brings gamer projects to the limelight. Amazing projects are on display once more. Event is streamed live in Youtube.

SOG News

April 26, 2024

Better Grades, Less Bullying - The Big Impact of Banning Smartphones

Banning smartphones in schools a way to go? Seems so. A recent study from Norway has shown some interesting results when schools decided to stop students from using smartphones. The study found that when smartphones were banned, students did better in school, felt less stressed, and there was less bullying. This was especially true for girls and those from families that aren't very rich, who showed the biggest improvements.

Parenting tips

April 12, 2024

Mikko Perälä

Digital Parenting Tips: Encouraging Positive Gaming Habits

This article addresses the challenges and benefits of children's gaming, emphasizing the importance of balanced, supervised play in safe gaming communities for healthy development and social connections.

Parenting tips

April 10, 2024

Sonja Lappalainen

SOG Community Tournaments in April - Rocket League and Overwatch

School of Gaming's esports gamers will once test their gaming skills in the Rocket League and Overwatch tournaments in April. Free registration for all SOG Gamers with or without a team.

School of Gaming's Overwatch tournament in Apr 29 and Rocket League tournament in Apr 25.

SOG News

March 18, 2024

Seven Superb Reasons to Learn Programming

As humanity becomes increasingly dependent on technology, it is crucial that children understand how everything works and learn the basics of programming from a young age. Programming has many benefits for our children's cognitive, academic, and professional development. Moreover, learning programming is fun! At least here at the School of Gaming! That's why our Principal lists seven reasons for you to learn programming today.

Parenting tips

March 15, 2024

Niina Meskus

Unlock Your Brain’s Potential: Enhance Memory with Minecraft and the Memory Palace Technique

How can you use Minecraft (and other games) to improve your brain's performance and memory capacity? Use the game and build your own memory palace using it! Follow easy step by step guide and become a memory master.

Ancient greek style palace in Minecraft-like environment, visualisation of possible memory palace.

Games and gaming

March 8, 2024

Children's safe internet use

Explore the challenges of navigating your child's online experience, from potential exposure to harmful content on YouTube to the impact of influencers. Learn how critical thinking and media literacy play a crucial role in empowering both children and parents. Uncover the risks associated with prank and mocking videos, as well as effective strategies for fostering a healthy digital environment.

Parenting tips

February 24, 2024

Game-Based Learning the School of Gaming Way

School of Gaming's goals are quite well encapsulated in the term digital citizenship. A good digital citizen possesses the necessary digital skills and attributes to succeed in the future world and to make it a better place for others as well.

Parenting tips

February 24, 2024

Niina Meskus

Minecraft's game modes and playstyles

Discover the diverse world of Minecraft game modes - survival and creative. Survival mode offers excitement and challenges as players gather resources and battle monsters, while creative mode unleashes limitless building possibilities. Learn which mode suits your child's playstyle best and how to navigate online gaming safely. Find out how to engage with the Minecraft community with the help of School of Gaming for shared experiences and building challenges.

Minecraft's two play modes and their differences - survival and creative

Games and gaming

February 23, 2024

Learning with Minecraft Education Edition at School of Gaming

At School of Gaming we believe in the power of play and games. Fun factor is an important ingredient in motivation to learn. Minecraft Education Edition is exactly that. A motivating and fun tool to learn new things.

Games and gaming