Parents warned because research shows that bullying over in-game purchases is increasing
A NEW study has released data suggesting more children are now being pressured to make in-game purchases.
As more and more kids choose to spend their time playing free-to-play games, there is more peer pressure to do well and look good in these games.
According to a study by Oslo Metropolitan UniversityThere is a lot of pressure on kids to spend money on games like Fortnite and Roblox to purchase the latest skins.
Clara Julia Reich from the university says: “We believe that skins, which refer to how you appear in the game, have a crucial social function.”
The research found that children use games as a social meeting place, and just like in real life, others will comment on how they look and dress.
A second researcher, Kamilla Knutsen Steinnes, says: “There is no sharp distinction between their online and offline worlds.
“These are simply different parts of the social world they navigate, and appearance, or skins, are important identity markers.”
However, this also brings increased risks outside the real world, as parents tend to know and understand less about what children do online.
Children can more easily fall prey to online scams without parents even realizing that personal property has been stolen.
In addition to outside pressure from peers, children also have to deal with “dark patterns,” tactics used in certain games that encourage users to make more purchases.
Steinnes claims, “Manipulative design consists of interfaces that coerce, pressure, or mislead consumers into making choices that are in the best interests of the company by exploiting users’ weaknesses.”
Children are particularly vulnerable to these types of tactics, and parents must find ways to monitor their children’s online activities and spending.
It was reported that the children who participated in the study spent more than $100 per year on in-game items.
Because this amount is spent online, it is important that parents keep a close eye on this.
If you want to read more about free-to-play games, check out the latest Fortnite event.
Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
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