What Every Parent Should Know Prior To Getting Their Child Into Online Gaming

As a parent of a child who is of age in 2026 and is showing a growing interest in the overexpansive world of video games, there will come a time when you’ll have to get serious about it, no questions asked.

At that moment in time, you will either have to shut the little one out completely or look into the essence of video gaming and how you, as a parent, can make sure that your kid gets to have a wonderful childhood. 

Right off the bat, I can tell you that one of the most alarming facets of online gaming is spending money. There’s a lot in that domain that can potentially throw your child off in the right direction, but with careful yet liberating supervision, there are ways to turn the entirety of it into a learning opportunity for children instead. 

Preparing Yourself To Become A More Present Parent For Your Child

Here’s a guide that can kick things off for you in a favorable way.  

Understand In-Game Purchases Yourself

Before you say no to your child, try to get a firmer grip on the overall scenario of in-game spending first. Most games offer loot boxes and microtransactions that take away your money in an instant and offer attractive rewards, bonuses, and other benefits in exchange. 

These encourage spending to a great deal, so it’s not entirely your child’s fault for nagging you about something they saw in their game that they now want. The item in question can be a skin or an outfit for the character, power-ups, boosts, or seasonal passes that unlock frequent rewards, or increase the likelihood of getting rare loot. 

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• Why Parental Supervision Matters Tremendously In Online Gaming
• Fortnite Deserves All The Hate It Gets

Loot boxes, in particular, can be quite unhealthy in the regard that they mimic the typical gambling psychology. Think of these as a reward-containing box that requires currency to be accessed. One loot box might be cheap, but once they start to stack, the payments also add up pretty fast. 

Teach Your Child Financial Boundaries

It’s extremely important that your child understands the importance of budgeting, financial literacy, and controlled spending. Children should realize that it’s just not possible to spend money on impulse, and that every purchase should be noted down and acknowledged for future reference.

After you’ve done a good job of making your little one understand the concept of financial boundaries, the next step is the solution. Instead of allowing access to your credit or debit card, you need to give the child a monthly or weekly budget instead. He or she may use those funds in the entire month, or spend them all in one go—that’s their choice, and something they’ll have to live with later on. 

Conclusion

Gaming, as an art form, is present in every corner of the world, so it’s virtually impossible for your child not to be attracted to it as the years go by. What you need to make sure is that when the time comes, you and your kid are ready to take on the world of online gaming and not be distracted down the wrong path by it.