TL;DR
Digital spending isn't just about "wasting money" on pixels—it’s the modern version of the Scholastic Book Fair, but with way more psychological traps. If you’re tired of the "Can I have $10 for Robux?" refrain, start by setting a "Digital Allowance," turning off "One-Tap Buy," and explaining the conversion math (e.g., 800 Robux ≈ $10).
Quick Links for the Modern Parent:
- Roblox – The #1 place kids spend money (and where "limiteds" create massive FOMO).
- Fortnite – Home of the "Battle Pass" and the $20 "Skin."
- Greenlight – A solid debit card/app for kids to manage their own digital "fun money."
- Brawl Stars – A masterclass in "gacha" mechanics and "just one more box" psychology.
- Guide: How to set up Roblox parental controls
Back in the day, if you wanted a new outfit for your character in a game, you had to beat the game. Today, you just need your mom’s FaceID. Digital spending usually falls into three buckets: Cosmetics (skins/hats that do nothing but look cool), Utility (buying a faster car or a better sword), and Gambling-lite (loot boxes or "gacha" pulls where you pay for a chance to get something rare).
The reason your kid is obsessed with this isn't just because they’re "addicted." In games like Roblox or Fortnite, your digital avatar is your social identity. If everyone at school pickup is wearing the newest Nike drop and you’re in a burlap sack, you feel "Ohio" (weird/cringe). For kids, "default skins" are the new "generic sneakers."
Kids don’t see digital items as "fake." To them, a rare pet in Adopt Me! is a status symbol they can show off to their friends in real-time.
However, developers use "Dark Patterns" to keep them spending:
- Currency Conversion: By turning $5 into 400 "Gems," the brain stops associating the purchase with real labor or real money.
- Artificial Scarcity: "Only 2 hours left to buy the Skibidi Toilet hat!" creates a sense of panic.
- The Sunk Cost Fallacy: "I’ve already spent $20 on this Battle Pass, if I don't spend $5 more to level up, I lose everything I worked for."
Ask our chatbot about the psychological tricks games use to get kids to spend
If you want to move past the "No, stop asking" phase, you have to turn the game into a classroom. Here are some media items that actually help teach the value of a dollar—or a Robuck.
Greenlight (App)
This is the gold standard for a reason. It’s a debit card for kids that lets you automate their allowance and—this is the kicker—allows you to see exactly where they are spending. If they blow their whole $20 monthly budget on Brawl Stars in the first ten minutes, that’s a hard, valuable lesson they learn before they have a mortgage.
Monopoly (Board Game)
Old school? Yes. Effective? Absolutely. Playing the physical version of Monopoly helps kids visualize "cash flow" and "rent" in a way that a digital screen can't. If you want something faster and less likely to end in a family feud, try Monopoly Deal.
The Game of Life (Board Game)
This is great for younger kids (Ages 6-10) to understand that money goes toward things like "taxes" and "home repairs," not just "cool hats."
AdVenture Capitalist (Game)
This is an "idle" game where you start with a lemonade stand and build an empire. While it's addictive, it's a great way to talk about "compounding interest" and "reinvesting profits." Just watch out for the in-app purchases here too—ironic, I know.
Ages 5-8: The "Store Clerk" Phase
At this age, kids have zero concept of digital permanence. They think the "Buy" button is just part of the game.
- The Rule: No stored credit cards. Period.
- The Lesson: If they want something, they have to physically bring you the money from their piggy bank. You "exchange" their cash for the digital purchase. This makes the transaction feel real.
- Recommendation: Toca Life World is popular here. It’s mostly harmless, but the "store" is very tempting.
Ages 9-12: The "Budgeting" Phase
This is the peak Roblox era. They are feeling social pressure to keep up with trends.
- The Rule: A set monthly "Digital Budget." Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
- The Lesson: Teach them to compare prices. "This skin costs $15. That’s the same as three Squishmallows. Which do you want more?"
- Recommendation: Use GoHenry or BusyKid to give them autonomy.
Ages 13+: The "Entrepreneur" Phase
Teens are often looking for ways to make money inside the games.
- The Rule: They manage their own accounts, but you have "View" access to their bank statements.
- The Lesson: Discuss the "Time vs. Money" trade-off. Is spending 40 hours "grinding" for a virtual item worth it, or would it be better to work a real job for two hours and just buy it?
- Recommendation: If they are tech-savvy, encourage them to learn Scratch or Roblox Studio to see how the "selling" side of the economy works.
Digital spending isn't just about your bank account; it's a major security risk.
- "Free Robux" Sites: If a website or a YouTube video promises "Free Robux," it is a scam 100% of the time. They are trying to steal your kid's account or your credit card info.
- Trading Scams: In games like Rocket League, kids trade items. "Trust trades" are the oldest trick in the book. Remind them: if it sounds too good to be true, your kid is about to get "cooked."
Learn more about how to spot common gaming scams
Instead of saying "That’s a waste of money," which immediately shuts down the conversation, try these prompts:
- "What does this item actually do in the game? Does it make you better, or just look different?"
- "How long did it take you to save up for this?"
- "Do you think you'll still be playing this game in three months?"
If they want to buy something in Fortnite, ask them to explain the "V-Buck to Dollar" conversion. If they can’t do the math, they aren't ready to spend the money.
We can’t stop the world from becoming digital, and we can’t stop games from being designed like mini-casinos. What we can do is stop being the "ATM of No" and start being the "Consultant of Why."
Digital spending is the perfect low-stakes environment for kids to make financial mistakes. It is much better for them to "waste" $20 of their allowance on a legendary skin they regret a week later than to waste $2,000 on a credit card when they’re 19.
Next Steps:
- Check your settings: Ensure "Ask to Buy" is toggled ON in your Apple or Google family settings.
- Audit the apps: Look at Brawl Stars or Clash Royale and see how many "deals" pop up the second you open the app.
- Set the budget: Pick a number (even if it’s $5) and stick to it.
Check out our full guide on the best debit cards for kids
Ask our chatbot for a script on how to say 'no' to more Robux