Children are being ripped off with «free» games!
Playing is healthy. When children play, they do exactly what they need for healthy development: playing stimulates the imagination, promotes concentration and helps to develop their personality. When children play, they do what they enjoy most.
If children immerse themselves for hours in free play with Playmobil figures, parents don't see this as a problem. However, when it comes to apps or console games, this changes abruptly. Because children often can't find an end to their gaming, there are always arguments in families.
How do game manufacturers retain children?
In contrast to wooden building blocks, digital games provide direct feedback. Children are captivated by the fact that they find the setting of a self-contained world of experience and can immerse themselves in it. The dramaturgy of the game, its plot and the dense atmosphere make it easy to get started. Gradually, a steadily increasing pull effect unfolds as the task to be solved becomes more and more difficult. The sense of time is completely lost. While a victory contributes to increased self-esteem, a defeat can trigger aggression, but also spurs you on to try again. In addition, players like to compete with others - whether together in a room or online.
How do children get hooked?
While parents were still able to intervene with computers or games consoles, this is no longer the case since the invention of smartphones and tablets. It is practically impossible to control unsuitable content or excessive usage time, as is the case with Playstations. The problem is not just that children are already playing games on the way to school; something completely new is happening: for the first time in the history of video games, children are deciding on their own what games to buy. While buying a PC or console game involves high costs and is often only possible with the support of parents, there are countless «free» games available for download on iTunes and Google Play.
«Free to play», for example, entices players with free weapons. As soon as these have been gambled away, you can buy more.
Under the catchphrase «free to play», a gigantic offer lures players with an unfair system of cheating. For example, children, teenagers and adults are given weapons and gems as gifts in order to familiarise themselves with the game's internal payment system. As soon as these items have been gambled away, you can buy more for little money.
A distinction is made between soft and hard monetisation. In the soft variant, money can be spent, but does not have to be. Alternatively, the player can return to lower levels and earn the required credits. With hard monetisation, on the other hand, the game does not continue until money flows for the required credits.
How subscriptions are taken out by mistake
The game makers have come up with another trick to get players to return to the game: They send messages such as «Your village has been attacked», putting pressure on young players in particular.
There are other pitfalls in the app world. For example, children often end up playing free games with adverts. Not only do they come across unsuitable content, but they can also sign up for subscriptions by accidentally tapping on them. The manufacturers are counting on parents to give in and pay. Parents who do not want to accept this rip-off can contact the Foundation for Consumer Protection. A so-called «third-party provider block» prevents money being deducted from the mobile phone credit. The block can be activated with the respective mobile phone provider and is free of charge.
In the USA alone, more than 70 per cent of around 6000 children's apps reviewed transmit sensitive data.
Many game apps do not take data protection very seriously. In the USA alone, more than 70 per cent of around 6,000 children's apps reviewed transmit sensitive data. Anyone in Europe who wants to check their children's apps for data protection issues can do so at www.app-geprüft.net.
Even if parents are faced with challenges due to new play offers and unfair methods used by some manufacturers: Playing is a wonderful thing. And the joy of it is as old as mankind.
Do you want to experience the fascination of winning and losing for yourself again? Then get out a board or card game and compete with your children.
Eight facts about games
- Children under the age of three should not play apps, children under the age of six only occasionally.
- Children between the ages of six and ten don't have to have their own devices. A normal push-button mobile phone or the parents' tablet is enough.
- Time regulations are difficult, but necessary. Children often don't find an end on their own. Only clear instructions with clear consequences can help.
- Parents should regularly talk to their children about the unfair methods used by some game manufacturers.
- So-called in-app purchases - apps that can be downloaded for free and only become chargeable as the game progresses - can be deactivated.
- Strangers can contact children in games. They need to know that there are adults on the Internet who want to talk to children about sex or arrange to have sex.
- Mobile devices should be left with the parents after the agreed playtime.
- The notifications from the game manufacturers can be switched off.
More on the topic of media use:
- Reading skills instead of media skills Reading skills are needed more than ever today - Thomas Feibel explains where!
- Media use: No rules, no guidance Rules are not popular with children, but they are very important - says Thomas Feibel.
