TL;DR: Digital pets have come a long way since the pixelated eggs of the 90s. While games like Tamagotchi still focus on the "feed it or it dies" mechanics of basic responsibility, modern behemoths like Adopt Me! on Roblox are more about high-stakes trading and virtual status.
If you want empathy and routine, look toward Bitzee or Nintendogs. If your kid is already deep in the Roblox ecosystem, they aren't just "raising" a pet—they’re learning the basics of a market economy (and how to avoid getting scammed).
At their core, digital pet games are simulators where progress is tied to the consistent care of a virtual creature. In the 90s, this was a linear relationship: you pressed a button to "clean" the poop, and the pet lived another day.
In 2026, the genre has split into two very different paths:
- The Nurturers: Focused on the "tamagotchi-loop"—feeding, grooming, and playing to keep a creature happy.
- The Collectors/Traders: Focused on rarity, "neon" upgrades, and the social status of owning a "Fly Ride Shadow Dragon" that’s worth more in the virtual market than some people's actual cars.
Understanding which path your kid is on is the difference between them learning empathy and them accidentally becoming a junior day-trader.
It’s the "can I have a dog?" urge, but with zero real-world cleanup and 100% more dragons.
For younger kids, it’s about agency. They spend all day being told what to do by parents and teachers; in Toca Pet Doctor, they are the ones in charge.
For older kids, it’s about social signaling. Having a rare pet in Adopt Me! is the digital equivalent of wearing the coolest sneakers to school. It’s "Ohio" (weird/cringe) to have a common dog, but "W" (a win) to have a legendary unicorn.
Ages 5-8 This is a handheld "digital pet you can actually touch." It’s a physical box with a flexible display that reacts to swipes and tilts. It’s great because it’s contained—no internet, no chat, and no way to spend $50 on "pet food" with your saved credit card. It teaches the basic "if I don't play with this, it leaves" lesson without the trauma of a permanent death.
Ages 7-12 We have to talk about the elephant in the room. This is the most popular game on Roblox. While the early game is about decorating a house and feeding a cat, the "end game" is entirely about trading. Learn more about how Adopt Me! trading works
Ages 9+ From the creators of Pokémon GO, this is an Augmented Reality (AR) pet game. The "Dots" are unique (DNA-based), and the game encourages kids to actually go outside to find items for their pets. It’s high-tech and visually stunning, but it does require a phone with decent AR capabilities.
Ages 6-10 The classic is back in a 3D format. It still maintains that "wholesome" vibe where you decorate rooms and play educational mini-games to earn "KinzCash." It’s a much slower pace than the chaos of Roblox.
Ages 6+ While not strictly a "pet" game, the entire loop of Animal Crossing is about maintaining relationships with animal villagers. If you want a game that rewards daily check-ins and kindness without the predatory "limited time offer" pop-ups, this is the gold standard. Check out our guide to cozy games for kids
Parents often ask: "Is my kid actually learning responsibility by feeding a digital cat?"
The answer is: Maybe.
If they are playing Tamagotchi or Pou, they are learning routine. They are learning that their actions (or lack thereof) have consequences.
However, if they are playing Adopt Me!, they are likely learning entrepreneurship and risk management. They are navigating a complex social market where they have to determine if trading two "Ultra-Rares" for one "Legendary" is a good deal.
The No-BS Take: Most of the time, the "responsibility" in digital pet games is just a gateway to a collection addiction. If your kid is obsessing over "Neon" pets, they aren't practicing animal husbandry; they’re practicing the "hustle." This isn't necessarily bad, but don't mistake a high pet count for a kid who is ready to walk a real-life Golden Retriever at 6:00 AM in the rain.
1. The "Trust Trade" Scam
In games like Adopt Me!, scammers will ask kids to do a "trust trade"—where the kid gives their pet away first with the promise of getting something better back. Spoiler: They never get it back. This is often a kid's first experience with heartbreak on the internet.
Ask our chatbot how to talk to your kid about internet scams
2. Microtransactions and "Gacha"
Many of these games use "eggs" that hatch random pets. This is essentially gambling for kids. You pay Robux for a chance at a legendary pet, but you’ll probably just get another common dog.
Learn more about how Robux is in fact real money
3. The "Death" Factor
Some pets, like the classic Tamagotchi, can actually die. For a sensitive 6-year-old, this can be genuinely upsetting. Newer apps like Toca Pet Doctor or Animal Crossing avoid this by having pets simply get "sick" or "sad" until you return.
If your kid is obsessed with their digital pet, don't just roll your eyes. Use it as a bridge to real-world concepts:
- On Value: "Why is that Neon Unicorn worth so much? Is it because it's rare, or because everyone just wants one right now?" (This is basically a lesson in Supply and Demand).
- On Scams: "If someone in the park asked to borrow your bike and promised to bring back a motorcycle tomorrow, would you do it? That's what a 'Trust Trade' is."
- On Routine: "I noticed you haven't checked on your Bitzee in two days. If that was a real dog, how would it be feeling right now?"
Digital pet games are a spectrum.
On one end, you have the Empathy Builders like Nintendogs and Toca Pet Doctor which are great for younger kids to learn about caretaking.
On the other end, you have the Economy Simulators like Adopt Me! which are essentially "My First Wall Street."
Neither is "brain rot" if handled with a little bit of parental context. Just keep an eye on the "hustle" and make sure they know that a "Mega-Neon Fly Ride" pet is cool, but it’s not worth their real-world mental health (or your credit card balance).
- Check the settings: If they play Adopt Me!, ensure you've looked at Roblox parental controls to limit who can trade with them.
- Trial a "Low-Stakes" Pet: If they are asking for a real dog, give them a Tamagotchi for two weeks. If they can't keep a pixelated egg alive, they aren't ready for a Labradoodle.
- Audit the "Robux" spend: Look at their purchase history. Are they buying "food" and "houses," or are they gambling on "mystery eggs"?
Ask Screenwise for a personalized guide to your kid's gaming habits