TL;DR
- The Problem: Games are "free" to download but designed to keep kids spending through psychological tricks called dark patterns.
- The Hook: Virtual items (skins, emotes, hats) are the new "cool sneakers." For kids, being a "default" in Fortnite is a social liability.
- The Strategy: Transition from "Mom’s credit card" to a fixed digital allowance using gift cards.
- Top "Safe" Recommendations: Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Monument Valley offer one-time purchases without the constant "buy more" pressure.
Learn how to set up parental controls for in-app purchases
If you’ve ever had a conversation that ended with your ten-year-old explaining why they desperately need $20 for a digital hat in Roblox, you aren't alone. To us, it’s a bunch of pixels that will disappear the moment the server goes down. To them, it’s a status symbol.
In the 90s, we wanted the right brand of jeans or the coolest Trapper Keeper. Today, that social posturing has moved into the digital lobby. When kids call something "Ohio" (meaning weird or cringey) or "mid," they are often talking about someone’s "default" avatar. In games like Fortnite, appearing as a "default"—the free character everyone gets—is the digital equivalent of wearing a "Kick Me" sign.
But there is a darker side to this. These games aren't just selling digital clothes; they are using sophisticated psychological tactics to turn your kid into a repeat customer.
Microtransactions are small financial transactions typically made within a video game or app. They usually fall into three buckets:
- Cosmetics: Skins, emotes, or "drip" for their character. These don't help you win, but they make you look "sigma" (cool/dominant) in front of friends.
- Power-ups: "Pay-to-win" items that give players a competitive advantage. You see this a lot in mobile games like Brawl Stars or Clash Royale.
- Loot Boxes: Digital "blind bags" where you pay money for a chance to get a rare item. This is essentially gambling-lite.
Ask our chatbot about the difference between DLC and microtransactions
Game developers spend millions of dollars on "behavioral economists" to figure out how to get kids to click "buy." Here are the three big ones:
Obfuscated Value (The Fake Currency Trick)
Why does Roblox use Robux instead of just showing dollars and cents? Because it’s harder for a child’s brain (and honestly, our brains) to realize that 800 V-Bucks in Fortnite is actually about eight real-world dollars. It feels like "play money," which makes it much easier to spend.
FOMO (The Daily Shop)
Games like Valorant or Fortnite have "rotating shops." That cool skin your kid wants might only be available for 24 hours. This creates a sense of "buy it now or lose it forever," which triggers an impulsive reaction rather than a logical one.
The Sunk Cost Trap
Battle Passes, like the ones in Call of Duty, require you to pay a flat fee up front, but then you have to play for dozens of hours to "earn" the items you already paid for. It keeps kids tethered to the screen because they don't want to "waste" the money they already spent.
If you're tired of the constant "Can I have $5?" requests, consider steering your family toward games that respect your wallet.
This is the gold standard. You buy it once, and you get hundreds of hours of content. No shops, no "gems," no pressure. It’s a "cozy game" that teaches patience and planning rather than impulsive spending. Read our guide to cozy games for kids
While Minecraft does have a "Marketplace" now, the core gameplay is still incredibly robust without spending an extra dime. Just be wary of the "Bedrock" version's storefront.
A beautiful, artistic puzzle game. You pay for the game, you play the game, and that’s it. No "dark patterns" in sight.
This one is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s a great creative "digital dollhouse," but the map is littered with "buildings" you haven't bought yet. It’s a constant visual reminder of what you don't have, which can be tough for younger kids (ages 5-8) to navigate.
Warning: This game is beautiful and high-quality, but it is built entirely around a "Gacha" (gambling) mechanic. It is very easy for a teen to spend hundreds of dollars trying to "pull" a specific character. This is one to watch closely.
Ages 5-8: The "No-Go" Zone
At this age, kids don't understand that digital money is real money. Disable in-app purchases entirely. If they want something, it should be a rare treat that you facilitate, not something they can click themselves.
Ages 9-12: The Gift Card Era
This is the perfect time to introduce a "Digital Allowance." Stop putting your credit card on the PlayStation or Xbox account. Instead, buy a $10 or $20 gift card. When it’s gone, it’s gone. This teaches them to prioritize: "Do I want this emote, or should I save for the next Battle Pass?"
Ages 13+: The Budgeting Talk
Teens are ready for the "why." Explain how dark patterns work. Show them the South Park episode about "Freemium" games (with caution, obviously) or discuss how much time they have to work at a part-time job to afford a $50 skin.
Check out our guide on teaching kids about the creator economy
Instead of "No, that's a waste of money," try these conversation starters:
- "If you spend your $15 on Robux today, you won't have it for that new Lego set you wanted. Which one will you still be playing with in a month?"
- "Do you actually like that skin, or do you just feel like you need it because everyone else has it?"
- "Let’s look at the 'Daily Shop' together. Why do you think they have a timer counting down at the top?"
Virtual items aren't "nothing" to your kids—they are social currency in the world where they spend most of their time. However, that doesn't mean we should let game developers have a direct line to our bank accounts.
By moving to a gift-card-only system and talking openly about the "tricks" games use to make us spend, you turn a point of conflict into a lesson in financial literacy.
- Audit the accounts: Check your Apple ID or Google Play settings and make sure "Ask to Buy" is turned on.
- Delete the card: Remove your saved credit card from their console or tablet.
- The Allowance Shift: Next time they ask for a purchase, tell them you’re starting a digital allowance. It puts the "work" of budgeting on them, and takes the "bad guy" role off of you.