TL;DR
If you’re short on time because you’re currently being haggled for a $10 skin, here are the three things you need to do right now:
- Turn on "Ask to Buy" on your Apple App Store or Google Play Store account. This forces a notification to your phone before any transaction happens.
- Switch to the "Gift Card Strategy." Remove your credit card from the console or app and use physical or digital gift cards for Roblox or Fortnite. When the card is empty, the spending stops.
- Enable In-Game Spending Limits. Both Roblox and Fortnite have specific parental PINs that prevent kids from spending existing currency without your permission.
Learn how to set up spending limits on every device
We’ve all been there. You hand your phone to your kid in the checkout line to buy five minutes of peace, and three days later you get an email receipt for a $99.99 "Vault of Gems."
In the old days, a game cost $60 and you were done. Today, games are "free," which is the most expensive price tag a parent can hear. Between "Skins" in Fortnite, "Robux" in Roblox, and "Starr Drops" in Brawl Stars, our kids are living in a digital economy designed by psychologists to keep them clicking "Purchase."
It’s easy to dismiss a digital hat or a "dance emote" as a waste of money—and objectively, it kind of is. But for kids, this isn't just "brain rot" spending; it’s social currency.
In the hallways of middle school (or the digital hallways of a Discord server), having a "default skin" is the 2025 equivalent of wearing generic off-brand sneakers when everyone else has Jordans. They aren't just buying a costume; they’re buying status and belonging.
Understanding this doesn't mean you have to fund their digital wardrobe, but it helps to realize that when they ask for Robux, they’re usually asking to feel "cool" in the only space they’re currently allowed to hang out with their friends.
Before we talk about specific games, you have to lock the front door. That’s your device's operating system.
If your family is on iPhones or iPads, Family Sharing is your best friend.
- Enable "Ask to Buy." This is the gold standard. When your kid wants to buy something, a notification pops up on your phone. you can approve or decline it from your couch.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases. Set "In-app Purchases" to "Don't Allow."
For the Android families, use Google Family Link.
- You can set it so that all purchases (even free apps!) require your approval.
- You can also require biometric authentication (fingerprint or face) for every single purchase, meaning they can’t just tap "Buy" while you’re not looking.
If they are playing Minecraft on the Nintendo Switch or Fortnite on an Xbox:
- Never store your credit card on the console. It is way too easy for a kid to "accidentally" click through the confirmation screens.
- Use the Parental PIN feature. This requires a 4-digit code before the "Checkout" button will even function.
Ask our chatbot for a step-by-step guide for your specific console
Roblox is a behemoth. Roughly 75% of U.S. kids ages 9-12 are on it. While they claim to teach "entrepreneurship" because kids can make their own games, for 99% of kids, it’s just a place to spend Robux.
- Monthly Spend Limits: You can now go into the "Parental Controls" tab in the Roblox settings and set a hard monthly limit (e.g., $10/month). Once they hit it, they’re cut off.
- Spending Notifications: You can set it to email you every time they spend even a single Robux.
Read our full guide on is Robux real money?
Fortnite uses "V-Bucks." The game is masterful at "Limited Time Offers." They create a sense of urgency (FOMO) that makes kids feel like if they don't buy the "Mr. Beast" skin today, it’s gone forever.
- Epic Games Store Settings: Log into their Epic Games account online and enable the Parental Controls PIN. This PIN is required for any purchase, including those made with V-Bucks already on the account.
We need to have a real talk about games like Brawl Stars, Genshin Impact, and even Pokemon GO.
These games often use "Gacha" or "Loot Box" mechanics. Instead of buying the thing you want, you buy a "crate" or a "pull" that might contain the thing you want. This is, for all intents and purposes, gambling. It triggers the same dopamine loops in a child's brain that a slot machine does in an adult's.
If your kid is asking for money to "try and get" a specific character or item, that’s a red flag. We recommend steering them toward games where they can buy exactly what they want, rather than "betting" on a digital box.
Ages 5-8
The "Hard No" Phase. At this age, kids don't understand that digital currency is real money. They think it’s just "points."
- Recommendation: Zero in-app purchases. If they want a new game, buy a standalone title like Toca Life World (which has tons of DLC, so be careful!) or stick to Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass, which offer hundreds of games with zero ads or in-app purchases.
Ages 9-12
The "Gift Card" Phase. This is where the social pressure starts.
- Recommendation: Use a "Digital Allowance." They get a $10 Roblox gift card once a month. When it’s gone, it’s gone. This teaches them to prioritize which "drip" they actually want.
Ages 13+
The "Budgeting" Phase.
- Recommendation: If they have a part-time job or an allowance, let them manage their own spending, but keep the "Ask to Buy" notifications on just so you can stay in the loop. It’s a great time to talk about how much $100 in Fortnite skins is worth compared to a pair of real-life shoes or a concert ticket.
When the inevitable "But everyone else has the Battle Pass!" happens, don't just say "because I said so." Try these talking points:
- The Ice Cream Metric: "This skin costs $15. That’s three trips to the ice cream shop. Are you sure this digital shirt is worth three real-life sundaes?"
- The "Free" Trap: "The people who made Among Us or Roblox are very smart. They made the game free so you’d feel like you owe them money later. We have to be smarter than the app."
- The Rental Reality: "If the Roblox servers shut down tomorrow, your $50 worth of digital hats disappears forever. You don't own it; you're just renting it."
Digital spending isn't inherently evil, but it is predatory. The goal isn't necessarily to spend $0—it’s to ensure that every dollar spent is a deliberate decision made by you, not an impulsive click made by a 10-year-old.
Start by locking down the device settings, move to a gift-card-only model, and keep the conversation open. You’ll save your bank account and, more importantly, teach your kid that "Buy Now" isn't the only option.
- Audit your apps: Check your credit card statement for any recurring "subscriptions" from Apple or Google.
- Set the PIN: Today, go into your kid's favorite game—whether it's Minecraft or Brawl Stars—and set up the parental PIN.
- Take the Screenwise Survey: See how your family's digital spending habits compare to other families in your community.