Parents are refusing to fund teens' digital spending habits
"I'm not going to pay for that," the mother explained, citing frustration over impulse buys, especially those that she sees as unnecessary. She noted that her daughters have often turned to services like DoorDash to order Starbucks if allowed, which she finds excessive.
This stance is not unique to this family. Many other parents are also refusing to pay for their teens' impulse purchases, especially in-app buys for things that add up quickly. One parent mentioned her experience with the Roblox gaming app, which led to hundreds of dollars in accidental charges after her children made in-game purchases. After this, she decided to ban the app from her home. "Roblox robs you," she said.
Other parents have shared similar stories about eye-watering in-app charges. One family reported accumulating $4,000 in charges due to their son's excessive spending spree on Roblox, where the distinction between real and virtual money can sometimes be unclear. On Reddit, one mom shared that her son spent $568 on in-app purchases using his Meta VR headset, while another questioned whether to let her kids spend their allowance on in-game currency like Fortnite's V-bucks.
'I think it's their money, and I'm all about letting them 'waste' it on impulse buys,' one parent wrote online. "That's the best way for them to learn lessons about saving money and the value of what they buy."
While some parents are adamant about not paying for digital purchases, others still are, though they aren't entirely happy about it. One mom admitted to feeling stuck with her 16-year-old's $3.99 monthly Snapchat+ subscription, which has been charged to her card for over two years.
Despite reservations about the app, the teenager acknowledged the subscription had become a new social norm. 'It's annoying, but that's just how things are today,' she said, explaining that Snapchat provides a more personalized and visually appealing experience than texting.
Snapchat's premium membership offers perks such as the ability to modify chat wallpapers and view who has rewatched stories, as well as access to a feature that reveals the 'Best Friends' lists. The premium version also allows users to customize the app's logo design, which one of the teens used to match her aesthetic.
Snapchat remains one of the most popular social media platforms for teens, with Pew Research data showing it ranks alongside Instagram and TikTok. It's popular because of its gamified features, such as streaks and trophies, which help keep teens engaged and encourage constant communication with friends.
Despite the widespread use of Snapchat+ among teens, some parents remain skeptical. One mother expressed her dislike for social media and wished she could remove it entirely, feeling that her kids were 'just seeking attention.'
As digital spending continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether parents will continue to hold firm on their refusal to fund their teens' in-app purchases.
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