Gaming is popular with both kids and adults, but when it comes to in-game purchases, there is justifiable concern that there aren’t enough safeguards in place to protect the youngest players.

In one instance, a court ruled that Amazon unlawfully charged customers more than $70 million for in-app purchases made by kids. The argument parents made was that the company made it too easy for children to make in-app purchases without needing to get permission from an adult. These complaints have also been leveled against Google and Apple, and all three of them have been asked to include additional safeguards.

In order to help your kids enjoy games responsibly, it’s important to first understand a few of the most popular games.

Here are several of the apps kids spend the most money on:

In Minecraft, users are able to build their own virtual worlds inside the game using natural resources, building blocks and their own creativity. The company has added in-app purchases to allow users to enhance the experience. They do so by paying for in-game currency which is used to buy items such as access to various worlds and maps.

Jurassic Park

In each of the games under the Jurassic Park banner, users are given the option of building a dinosaur park and, fighting against other users to gain new dinosaurs and rewards, and upgrading the creatures you have available. However, these upgrades cost in-game currency or real-world money. Although some perks can be obtained through gameplay, others are only available if you purchase them.

Plants vs. Zombies

This franchise began with Plants vs. Zombies and has since spawned a number of sequels. In each, plants and zombies battle it out with some games allowing users to play as either a zombie or a plant and others offering a range of multiplayer bouts and numerous routes to improve your plants, zombies and ‘decks.’ But, while you can earn gems and in-game currency for many different actions, the best cards and in-app items have to be bought with real world currency.

There are thousands of games that offer in-app purchases and if parents aren’t away that their kids play games on their smartphones or tablets, then they may be surprised to discover their children have racked up a sizable bill.

In order to counter this, it’s essential that parents first talk to their kids about virtual currency and digital goods and consider downloading such apps as TeenSafe Control which gives them the option of controlling how kids use their phones, such as turning off in-app purchases. Another way parents can help curb their kids’ spending is by not connecting a credit card to an XBox or Playstation. Finally, set up a small budget for your children’s gaming purchases, ie with their allowance, so that they learn a lesson about spending money and budgeting. By taking these steps, kids can play games safely without there being a danger of overspending.

BLMP ©2018, Singapore

BLMP (Blockchain Licensing Marketplace) is a blockchain technology company working to remove obstacles and facilitate trust in the complex issues surrounding Supply Chain Management transactions in the virtual goods industry.

BLMP Network uses blockchain technology to connect digital platforms around the world with global brands to monetize officially licensed virtual goods across any digital platform; from games to streaming services & social media, allowing millions of users access to a whole new world of branded virtual products.

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