Starbucks – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Starbucks

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2009

35%

WISE Score

4.9

App Store

The ultimate status symbol for the middle schooler who discovered the Pink Drink and wants to feel like a grown-up.

Starbucks

app

2009

35%

WISE Score

4.9

App Store

The ultimate status symbol for the middle schooler who discovered the Pink Drink and wants to feel like a grown-up.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

It’s a digital wallet with a caffeine addiction. For a kid, using the Starbucks app is less about the coffee and more about the status of the scan. It’s safe from strangers, but it isn't safe from the psychological nudge to 'earn 50 more stars' by Tuesday.

If your kid is at the age where they’re heading to the town center solo, this is a utility, not a hobby. Just treat it like the retail tracker it is: a well-oiled machine designed to turn them into a lifelong customer before they’ve even finished algebra.

Age Fit

Best for 12 and up. This is the age when kids start walking to the local shop with friends. Younger kids don't need a corporate tracking app on their devices.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is a corporate utility app. While not harmful, it doesn't model the kindness or narrative depth found in quality media; it is purely transactional.

Imaginative

Creativity is limited to drink customizations. It's a commerce engine, not a sandbox for exploration.

Safe

No unmoderated chat or third-party ads. However, the app uses heavy gamification (Stars, streaks) and data tracking to drive consumption.

Enriching

Teaches the absolute basics of digital transactions and rewards, but primarily encourages brand loyalty and spending.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Mobile ordering teaches kids how to plan ahead and handle a basic digital transaction.
Drink customization offers a tiny bit of agency over their order (even if it's just extra caramel drizzle).
Reward tracking can be a lesson in delayed gratification—saving Stars for a specific treat.

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What to Watch For

The Reward Loop is designed to create a habit. 'Bonus Star' challenges often push you to buy things you didn't actually want.
Caffeine and Sugar are the stars here. Many kid-popular 'refreshers' have more caffeine than a can of Coke, and Frappuccinos are basically milkshakes.
Auto-Reload can lead to invisible spending. If you link your credit card to their app, the money can vanish fast without a 'real' transaction feeling.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the app gives you 'Stars' for buying things instead of just a discount?"
"How do you feel when you see a 'Bonus Star' challenge that expires in two days?"
"Is the drink you're ordering a treat for today, or is it becoming a daily habit?"
"If you didn't have the app to scan, would you still want to go to Starbucks right now?"

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