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Kid crying after spending money on Free Fire without Permission Photograph: (Instagram)
Online games, especially the ones that can be played on mobile devices are quite popular among young kids. They are free to download and play, however, there is also a dark side to online video games, and that is microtransactions. Reports of young kids often surface that they spend a lot of money on these games without realizing it.
One such viral video surfaced where a family is confronting a kid who spent money on Free Fire without asking permission from the family. In the video, one of the family members is seen confronting the kid asking where did the money go.
As per the video description, the kid spent all of the family savings, however, this doesn’t seem to be the case as various comments called the information incorrect. The other users revealed that the kids spent ₹1,500 on the game, which also isn't a small amount and can reach much higher if not addressed earlier.
Online games can cause monetary harm
Free-to-play games often feature heavy monetization and try to have players purchase slick-looking cosmetics to show off among friends. There are also other aspects like pay-to-win and fear of missing out on limited-time cosmetics that further push players into spending more money.
While the games don’t outright force players to make purchases, kids will often see something shiny and make a purchase. Often, they are playing on their parents' devices which may have their cards linked for quick online transactions.
Also Read:Gamers who purchased founder's edition of MultiVersus feel scammed
FAQ
How to prevent kids from spending money on online games?
The best way to prevent kids from spending money on online video games is to not have any debit or credit cards saved on the device or account they are using. Many times kids don’t have a general idea regarding microtransactions as they are simply clicking the link which makes automatic deductions.
Is there any benefit of cosmetics in online games?
Apart from looking cool, cosmetic items do not provide any benefits unless it has been clearly stated. These items often modify the looks of an existing item making them look better and can be shown off to friends.