Online shopping pitfalls for children and how to avoid them

Online shopping has become a reflex for everyone. One click and it's in the basket. Convenient, fast, almost too easy. But for kids, it's a bit like playing with fire. Between the catchy ads, the influencers touting everything and anything, and the platforms that do everything they can to encourage purchases, it's easy to get lost.

So how can we help them find their way around, without prohibiting them from buying altogether?

Influencers: salespeople in disguise

Brands have understood that, to sell, there's nothing better than going through someone young people admire. Influencers are like the new stars of advertising. Except that they're often presented as sincere advice, when in reality they're paid to promote a particular product.

For a child or teenager, it's hard to tell the difference. Their idol says this new pair of sneakers is amazing? Of course, they want the same pair. But in reality, it's just a paid partnership.

What you can do: talk to them about it, without making them feel guilty. Explain to them that many influencers are paid to say good things about a product, even if they don't always think it's as good as they let on. It helps them take a step back and ask themselves the right questions.

Learning to slow down

Instead of banning everything (because let's be honest, that never really works), why not introduce a little ritual before each purchase? For example, wait 24 hours before validating the basket. It's very simple, but it calms the excitement of the moment and allows you to think a little more.

We can also ask a few simple questions:

-Do I really need it?

-Is it just because everyone's talking about it?

-Is it just a passing fancy?

Very often, after a little thought, the desire eventually passes. And if it's still there the next day, it may be that the purchase was really worthwhile.

Money isn't just numbers on a screen

The big trap with online shopping is that money becomes almost virtual. You don't take out bills, you don't see the change go... You just click, and it's paid. For a child, it's even more abstract.

Tip: relate their purchases to their pocket money. For example, show them concretely what it represents: "If you take this game for 20 euros, how much will you have left for the end of the month?" This helps them visualize and think before spending it all at once.

Framing without smothering

The idea is not to monitor or control everything. But there are some handy tools you can use to keep track of your expenses without having to be on your back all the time. For example, you can set up alerts to warn you when a purchase has been made, or to remind you of the limits you've set.

It gives them a little more autonomy and helps them stay on track. It's also a good way of discussing the choices they make together, without judging them.

It's possible to frame without restricting!

Accompanying children in online shopping isn't just about saying no. Above all, it's about teaching them to take a step back, think things through and understand what's behind all the fancy talk from influencers. With a few good habits and a little dialogue, we can give them the keys to responsible consumption, without turning them off.