It’s incredibly difficult to make gaming time both beneficial for children and safe for the wallet, since in today’s world, almost any game is a money-sucking turbine powered by in-game purchases. But how do we stop splitting the family budget between our kids and greedy devs, and is that even possible?
“A Great Deal – 90% Off”
Online games, unfortunately, have long drifted away from being projects made by people for people, turning instead into platforms designed to extract money. These days, it’s nearly impossible to find a decent game without an outrageous donation system, as developers are focused solely on earning money in the most primitive way, without caring about gameplay or the quality of their products.
And while broader gaming concepts like no wager bonus casino illustrate the idea of rewards that are instantly accessible without extra conditions, 99% of games still rely on the painfully familiar and banal system — buy and enjoy, or suffer.
Thankfully, some games, such as Minecraft or Animal Crossing, still reward creativity and exploration without pressuring one into purchasing anything, which starkly contrasts with the overwhelming majority of disposable junk games.
In Minecraft, for example, players build structures and survive to gain resources, hence stimulating one’s imagination, and this game is perfect for family sessions where parents and children create worlds together.
Animal Crossing, in turn, provides daily activities, which result in collecting items without the need to spend money in the real world. While updates give more content, the core rewards are accessible to all.
Want to Play? Just Pay, No Exceptions
Modern games use psychological triggers to encourage spending. Things like diamonds, coins, weapons, and other nonsense in popular titles like Fortnite or Roblox increase the risk of addiction in children, especially when they see peers acquiring rare items through purchases.
This pay-to-win bait includes:
- Loot boxes that stimulate impulsive buying;
- Fake offers of “free” items that lead to data theft;
- Peer pressure to buy virtual goods.
Studies show that these elements affect the brain similarly to lotteries, releasing dopamine and encouraging repeated actions, which leads to unexpected expenses from the family budget. Especially when children use their parents’ credit cards without permission. That’s why it’s critically important for parents to filter what their children play and have regular conversations about donation mechanics to foster a healthy understanding of games and the world in general.
What Can Be Done
The best and simplest step when installing another “masterpiece of modern gaming” from the App Store or Google Play is to start with reviews, which offer a clearer picture.
For example, there are games and educational apps with fixed achievement rewards, like daily logins in Duolingo Gamified or Khan Academy Kids, where progress is tied to learning. And although they also encourage donations, it’s done in a more or less reasonable way, since the developers are relatively reputable companies that at least care somewhat about their reputation.
At the same time, it’s absolutely essential to avoid titles with in-app purchases that are critical for progress. The only more or less acceptable option might be something like Nintendo Switch Online, which offers family subscriptions with access to classics without ADDITIONAL spending.
Below is a table of games indicating donation specifics and risk levels:
| Game | Reward type | Risk level | Family rating |
| Minecraft | Resource gathering through exploration | Low | High |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Daily tasks and item collection | Low | High |
| Roblox (with controls) | User-generated quests | Medium | Medium |
| Fortnite free tier | Achievement unlocks | Medium | Medium |
| Super Mario Maker 2 | Level creation rewards | Low | High |
| Among Us | Task completion bonuses | Low | High |
| Pokémon Go free features | Gym battles for coins | Low | Medium |
It’s worth noting that the table only reflects data based on publicly available information, which may be inaccurate. That’s why it’s best to follow universal steps to create a safe gaming environment:
- Choose games with an ESRB or PEGI age rating;
- Enable parental controls on all devices;
- Discuss the concept of “free” offers with your children;
- Set a budget for any purchases if they’re unavoidable.
Only these measures can ensure a real balance between fun and protection.
Your Children Are Your Responsibility
Digital literacy education is a key element in today’s reality. And only through your direct involvement in your child’s life can you turn virtual time into a meaningful and financially sustainable experience.
