Kids don't have the same concept of money that adults do. A third-grader doesn't necessarily understand that $20 in Roblox is the same as $20 at Target. Digital currency creates this abstraction layer that makes spending feel less real.

Plus, games are designed to create FOMO (fear of missing out). That exclusive skin is only available for 24 hours! Your friends all have the Battle Pass! You're stuck on this level and just need one more power-up! The psychological pressure is real, and kids don't have fully developed impulse control. Hell, most adults struggle with it.

And let's not forget the social component. When everyone at school is talking about their Fortnite skins or their Minecraft Marketplace purchases, your kid feels left out if they're the only one without access. It's not just about the game — it's about belonging.

Here's what the industry doesn't advertise: the average "free to play" game makes way more money than traditional $60 games. How? By getting a small percentage of players to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars. Kids with access to payment methods can rack up charges shockingly fast.

Some horror stories from parents:

But even if your kid isn't going into four-figure territory, those $5 and $10 purchases add up. Fast.

1. Turn Off In-App Purchases Entirely

This is the nuclear option, but sometimes it's the right call, especially for younger kids. On iOS, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > In-App Purchases > Don't Allow. On Android, open Google Play Store > Settings > Require authentication for purchases > For all purchases through Google Play on this device.

2. Require Password for Every Purchase

Even if you allow in-app purchases, require password approval for each one. This creates a natural pause where your kid has to ask you, and you can have a conversation about whether it's worth it. No more accidental or impulse buys.

3. Use Gift Cards Instead of Credit Cards

Remove your credit card from the account entirely. If your kid wants to make purchases, they can use gift cards they've earned or received. This creates a finite budget and makes the spending more tangible. When the $25 gift card is gone, it's gone.

4. Create a Monthly Digital Allowance

Some families give kids a set amount per month for in-app purchases — maybe $10 or $20. Once it's spent, that's it until next month. This teaches budgeting and prioritization. Do you want that skin now, or save up for something bigger?

5. Earn It Through Chores or Screen Time Trade-Offs

Connect in-app purchases to real-world effort. Want Robux? Do extra chores. Want the Battle Pass? Trade it for reduced screen time in other areas. This helps kids understand that digital items have real value.

6. Have the "Digital Money Is Real Money" Conversation

Sit down and actually show your kid what things cost. "This $20 in V-Bucks is the same as the $20 LEGO set you wanted. Which would you rather have?" Make the abstract concrete. Learn more about how Robux is in fact real money.

7. Explain the Psychology

Age-appropriate for tweens and teens: explain how these games are designed to make you want to spend. Talk about FOMO, artificial scarcity, and how game designers use psychology to influence behavior. When kids understand they're being manipulated, they're more resistant to it.

8. Find Games That Aren't Built on IAPs

There are plenty of great games that either have no in-app purchases or very limited ones. Stardew Valley, Terraria, and Hollow Knight are all pay-once games with no IAPs. Apple Arcade and Netflix Games offer subscription-based gaming with no additional purchases. Check out our guide to games without in-app purchases.

If your kid has already racked up charges, take a breath. You're not the first parent this has happened to, and you won't be the last.

First, check if you can get a refund. Apple and Google both have refund request processes, especially if the purchases were made by a minor without permission. Success isn't guaranteed, but it's worth trying.

Second, use it as a teaching moment (once everyone has calmed down). Don't just punish and move on — help your kid understand what happened and why it's a problem. This is a chance to build financial literacy.

Third, implement some of the guardrails above so it doesn't happen again.

Let's address the elephant in the room: what do you do when your kid is the only one without skins/passes/items and feels left out?

This is hard. Social belonging matters, especially in middle school. But it's also an opportunity to talk about values, peer pressure, and the difference between wants and needs.

Some families compromise: "You can have the Battle Pass this season, but that's your birthday present." Or "You can earn money for skins, but we're not just buying them because your friends have them."

Other families hold firm: "We don't spend money on digital items in this family." That's valid too. Your kid might be annoyed, but they'll survive, and they'll learn that not everyone makes the same choices.

In-app purchases aren't inherently evil, but they are designed to separate you from your money as efficiently as possible. The key is being intentional about how and when your family engages with them.

Set clear boundaries. Have ongoing conversations about digital spending. Teach kids to recognize when they're being manipulated. And remember: you're allowed to say no.

The goal isn't to raise kids who never spend money on digital items — it's to raise kids who understand the value of money, can resist artificial pressure, and make thoughtful choices about what's worth spending on.

Need help explaining specific games or their monetization strategies? The Screenwise chatbot can break down how Fortnite, Roblox, or any other game makes money and what to watch out for.