TL;DR: In-game purchases have evolved from simple "extra levels" into a complex social economy. Whether it’s V-Bucks in Fortnite or Robux in Roblox, kids aren't just buying "stuff"—they’re buying status, community access, and identity. The goal isn't necessarily to ban spending, but to decode the "dark patterns" like FOMO and loot boxes that turn a $10 hobby into a $100-a-month drain.
Ask our chatbot for a script to talk to your child about "Digital Drip"
Check out our guide on setting up spending limits on iPhone and Android
The days of paying $60 for a cartridge and owning the whole game are mostly over. Today’s most popular titles are "Free-to-Play," but they aren't "Free-to-Enjoy-Without-Social-Stigma." Games now use "microtransactions"—small purchases, usually under $20—to monetize users over years rather than all at once.
To make this feel less like spending "real" money, developers use virtual currencies. You aren't spending $10; you’re spending 1,000 V-Bucks. This abstraction is a deliberate psychological trick to make the "pain of paying" feel less intense for both kids and adults.
If you’ve ever wondered why your child wants a $15 "skin" (a digital outfit for their character) that doesn't even help them win the game, you have to understand "Digital Drip."
In games like Fortnite or Roblox, your avatar is your identity. Showing up to a digital hangout in a "default" skin is the modern equivalent of wearing generic, unbranded sneakers to middle school in 1998. It’s a social marker. Kids use these purchases to:
- Signal Status: Rare skins show you’ve been playing for a long time or have the resources to keep up.
- Express Identity: Whether they want to look like a cat-ninja or a professional soccer player.
- Participate in Trends: When a new "emote" (dance) or character drops, everyone in the friend group wants to be part of the moment.
Every game handles money differently. Here is how the heavy hitters in your kid's rotation are likely draining their (or your) wallet:
Roblox is less of a game and more of a mall. The currency is Robux. While some parents view Roblox as a gateway to "entrepreneurship" because kids can make their own games, the reality for 99% of kids is pure consumption. They spend Robux on "Game Passes" (special powers within a specific game) or items for their avatar. The Trap: Many games within Roblox are designed by developers who use aggressive "pay-to-win" mechanics. If you don't buy the "Super Speed" pass, you’re at a permanent disadvantage.
The currency here is V-Bucks. Fortnite is actually "fairer" than Roblox in one sense: none of the purchases give you a competitive advantage. It’s all cosmetic. The Trap: The Battle Pass. This is a seasonal subscription (roughly $10) that allows players to "earn" rewards by playing. It sounds like a deal, but it creates a "sunk cost" mentality. If your kid doesn't play for 10 hours a week, they "lose" the items they technically paid for. It’s a genius way to manufacture screen time.
On consoles and mobile (the "Bedrock" edition), Minecraft uses Minecoins. These are used in the Marketplace to buy "worlds," "skin packs," and "texture packs." The Trap: Compared to others, Minecraft is relatively tame, but the Marketplace is a constant upsell. If your child sees a YouTuber playing in a "Star Wars" world, they’re going to want those Minecoins immediately.
This mobile hit is huge with the 8-12 crowd. It uses Gems and Coins. The Trap: Loot Boxes (or "Starr Drops"). While the game has moved away from some of its more "gambling-lite" mechanics, it still relies heavily on "gacha" elements—where you pay for a chance to get a rare character. This triggers the same dopamine hit as a slot machine.
Game developers hire behavioral economists to make these games "sticky." You should be aware of these three specific tactics:
- FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out): The "Item Shop" in games like Fortnite or Apex Legends rotates every 24 hours. If you don't buy that skin today, it might not be back for six months. This creates a sense of urgency that bypasses a child's (still developing) impulse control.
- The "Funnel": Games often give away just enough currency to get you close to a purchase, but not all the way there. You have 800 V-Bucks, but the skin costs 1,000. Now you have to buy the $10 pack to use the "free" money you already had.
- Obfuscation: By turning dollars into "Gems" or "Coins," the brain stops associating the click of a button with the loss of actual labor-earned money.
Learn more about the psychology of "Dark Patterns" in gaming
Ages 6-9: The "No-Fly Zone"
At this age, kids generally lack the abstract reasoning to understand that "Gems" are real money.
- Strategy: Password-protect every purchase. Do not link a credit card directly to the console or device. If they want something, use a physical gift card. This makes the "limit" tangible. When the card is empty, the spending stops.
Ages 10-13: The "Digital Allowance"
This is the prime age for social pressure. Bullying "defaults" is a real thing in middle school.
- Strategy: Incorporate gaming into their allowance. If they get $20 a month, they can choose to spend it on a Roblox skin or a physical LEGO set. This teaches opportunity cost.
Ages 14+: The "Transparency Phase"
By high school, they should be managing their own accounts, but with oversight.
- Strategy: Use apps like Greenlight or Step to give them a debit card. Let them see the bank statement. If they spend $50 on Genshin Impact, that’s $50 less for gas or hanging out with friends IRL.
Don’t start the conversation by calling their favorite game a "scam." That’s a quick way to get them to stop listening. Instead, try to understand the social value.
Ask: "I see you really want that skin in Fortnite. Are your friends all wearing it? Does it make the game more fun, or do you just feel like you're missing out without it?"
This opens the door to talking about marketing tactics rather than their choices. Most kids hate being "tricked." Once they realize a game is using FOMO to manipulate them, they often become much more skeptical of the "Limited Time Only!" banners.
Check out our guide on how to talk to kids about advertising
In-game purchases aren't inherently evil, but they are designed to be frictionless. Our job as parents is to re-introduce that friction. Whether it's through password protections, physical gift cards, or just honest conversations about how these companies make their billions, the goal is to move from impulsive spending to intentional enjoyment.
If your kid is obsessed with a specific game and you're worried about the cost, ask our chatbot for a breakdown of that game's specific monetization strategy.
- Audit the Devices: Go into the settings of the PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch and ensure "Require Password for Purchases" is turned ON.
- The Gift Card Pivot: Stop saving your credit card to their accounts. Move to a "Gift Card Only" model for birthdays and chores.
- Watch Together: Sit down and watch them play for 20 minutes. Notice how many times the game prompts them to "Buy Now!" or "Upgrade!" Point it out casually. "Wow, they really want your money, don't they?"
Check out our guide to the best 'Buy-Once-and-Play' games for kids