Pocket money and online safety: how to avoid the pitfalls of digital spending among young people

It's a familiar scene in many homes: a child, engrossed in an online game, insists that his parents buy him a virtual currency to unlock a new character or accessory. Behind this simple request, however, lies a far more complex reality. Our children, accustomed to the digital world, are exposed to a constant flow of solicitations that feed their desire for instant consumption. So how can parents help them navigate this rapidly expanding world without falling into the pitfalls of digital spending?

The temptation of instant gratification

Today's children are used to quick gratification. With just a few clicks, they can buy, download and use virtual products. Video games, for example, are designed to stimulate instant gratification. Each new purchase - whether it's a "skin" to personalize a character, a bonus to progress faster, or a feature to stand out from other players - gives them an immediate dose of pleasure.

A phenomenon well known to psychology researchers: instant gratification activates the brain's reward circuits, releasing dopamine, a hormone associated with pleasure. This stimulation is particularly strong in young people, who are still developing emotionally. But this "buy-reward" model can become problematic. The more children are exposed to these easy and frequent micro-transactions, the more they can develop an impulsive relationship with money. "After all, why wait when everything is immediately accessible?" some youngsters ask themselves.

Commercial hype: when ads get in the way

Beyond instant gratification, children are also subjected to a veritable commercial hype, particularly on the platforms they frequent. While browsing social networks, playing online games or watching videos, they constantly come across ads tailored to their interests. These ads are not harmless; they are the result of algorithms that analyze their behavior to offer them ever more attractive products and services.

Take the case of a teenager with a passion for video games: after a search for a console accessory, he'll be offered ads for similar items, reinforcing the idea that he "needs" this object to enhance his experience. These techniques, which specialists call "targeted advertising", are particularly powerful because they reach young people in an area that is dear to them. The risk? That this bombardment of suggestions gives the child the impression that he or she must constantly buy to stay up to date, thus feeding a form of over-consumption.

An incentive to overconsume

In this context, children and teenagers are vulnerable to another worrying trend: over-consumption. They are tempted to spend more than they should by seeing objects highlighted, and discovering "exclusive" and "limited" offers. This marketing strategy plays on the fear of missing out ("FOMO" or "Fear of Missing Out"), which particularly affects the younger generations.

The most striking example is that of ephemeral collections in games or on certain applications, where items are available for a limited time. Faced with these offers, young people feel the urgency to buy so as not to "miss out". This type of consumption, dictated by apparent scarcity and urgency, can lead them to adopt impulse buying behaviors that are difficult to reverse in adulthood.

Parents' answers and tools for healthy coaching

What role do parents play in this dynamic? The first step is often to initiate an open discussion about spending and pocket money, explaining that money is not an unlimited resource. Talking about impulse buys, the temptations of instant gratification, and the pitfalls of advertising can help prepare children to deal with solicitations.

In addition, several parental control tools on youth cards allow clear limits to be set. Some products, such as those offered by Bloon, enable parents to restrict certain expenses (e.g. online transactions or subscriptions). Other solutions send educational alerts so that children understand the impact on their balance at the very moment of purchase.

But beyond these tools, it's essential that children are involved in their financial decisions. For example, parents can encourage their children to put some of their pocket money aside for a project or object they really want. This process helps them to understand the notion of choice and saving, and to see money as a means of achieving their long-term goals rather than a tool for immediate gratification.

Practical tips for educating people about the pitfalls of digital spending

Here are a few simple but effective tips to help young people adopt a more thoughtful approach to consumption:

1. Establish clear rules from the outset: Together, define rules for the use of pocket money and set limits. For example, one rule could be to buy only after taking a moment to think things over.
2. Valuing savings: Parents can encourage their children to save for a major purchase. This allows him to feel the satisfaction of his purchase while developing beneficial patience.
3. Advertising education: Explain that targeted advertising is designed to encourage spending, and learn how to identify it. This awareness reduces their impact and develops children's critical thinking skills.
4. Reflect on each purchase: By discussing each planned purchase with their child, parents allow him or her to ask the right questions: "Do I really need it?" or "Will I still be able to use it in a few months?"

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