Gaming

Kids’ parents’ credit cards are loose

The Vorarlberg Chamber of Labor warns against free online games that end up costing money - and it's not uncommon for the parents of gaming kids to be completely unaware of this. 

Everyone is probably familiar with this image: children and teenagers leaning back on the sofa, smartphone in hand, completely immersed in an online game. However, many people, including some parents, are unaware that huge sums of money are often spent on these games - they still have to pay for their children's purchases.

As part of a study commissioned by the Chamber of Labor, the University of Graz has now determined how much money is actually spent on supposedly free online games: More than every second online gamer has already paid money for virtual game content, the survey of over 2600 people between the ages of ten and 25 revealed. In these cases, however, the money is not spent on buying a game, but invested during the supposedly free game.

The younger, the more money is spent
Objects or tools can usually be purchased to equip the game character in order to reach the goal more quickly, while "skin betting" involves "upgrading" characters or objects with accessories and then trading them for money on online platforms. But how do the kids get the money? It's not uncommon for gamers to enter their parents' credit card details. Mom and dad are then amazed at the items they find on their bills. It is striking that boys buy far more than girls. And the younger the gamers, the higher the bills - presumably because of the greater peer pressure.