The Hidden Cost of Free Games

MidnightCowboy · 02. Mar 2013, 01:10 PM

This trend will be quite a challenge for families with vulnerable or easily manipulated young children and teens.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21631646

wdhpr · 02. Mar 2013, 07:50 PM

Being a father of a 14 year old I have first hand experience on this issue. It started out with Club Penguin at the age of nine. In order for the child to unlock various parts of the game there is a charge. Then there are PS3 Wrestling games that provide a way to purchase virtual clothes and accessories. Buying clothes that are pretend (really) Anyway, these games must be a billion dollar industry because they try to squeeze every last nickel and dime out of the kids as well as dads trying to make junior happy.

J_L · 02. Mar 2013, 10:39 PM

Good thing you can disable in-app purchases. That's how I've set it up myself, even though I never pay for anything (others might).

revboy · 03. Mar 2013, 03:04 PM

Yep gotta be watchful, I like to have a session of online golf, but the only way to really improve is to "BUY" better online clubs, etc, etc.

wdhpr · 03. Mar 2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revboy

Yep gotta be watchful, I like to have a session of online golf, but the only way to really improve is to "BUY" better online clubs, etc, etc.

To be honest the amount of money I have spent for my kid has been small. What amazes me though, is how pervasive the money making schemes are and I can see how this kind of thing can get out of hand. Besides disabling you can control costs by purchasing a reloadable card which is what I did.

garth · 04. Mar 2013, 05:13 PM

Serves them right for not supervising their children properly. In the scale of internet related danger (to children) well...it could have been a lot worse.

02. Mar 2013, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 14,298	The Hidden Cost of Free Games This trend will be quite a challenge for families with vulnerable or easily manipulated young children and teens. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21631646 __________________ Buy a Hoover and prove technology sucks.

02. Mar 2013, 10:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
J_L Co-Author, Best Free Security List Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,991	Good thing you can disable in-app purchases. That's how I've set it up myself, even though I never pay for anything (others might). __________________ http://www.t7j7l.blogspot.com/

03. Mar 2013, 03:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
revboy Full Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Albury, New South Wales, Australia. Posts: 59	*Yep gotta be watchful, I like to have a session of online golf, but the only way to really improve is to "BUY" better online clubs, etc, etc.* __________________ Windows 8.

04. Mar 2013, 05:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
garth Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Here. Posts: 1,522	Serves them right for not supervising their children properly. In the scale of internet related danger (to children) well...it could have been a lot worse. __________________ Heavy Metal + Lego = . That is all. ^.^

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02. Mar 2013, 07:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
wdhpr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The north Coast Posts: 1,508	Being a father of a 14 year old I have first hand experience on this issue. It started out with Club Penguin at the age of nine. In order for the child to unlock various parts of the game there is a charge. Then there are PS3 Wrestling games that provide a way to purchase virtual clothes and accessories. Buying clothes that are pretend (really) Anyway, these games must be a billion dollar industry because they try to squeeze every last nickel and dime out of the kids as well as dads trying to make junior happy.