Kids' Online 'Spending' Provides Teachable Moment

As most parents of 'tweens probably know by now, kids who love spending time on sites like Webkinz, Club Penguin, and other online kids' worlds are playing games with the aim of accumulating lots of in-world currency so they can shop and buy things for their virtual pets.

Outwardly, this may seem like a good way to teach kids about money, but on closer look the aim is more in line with shaping our kids into nonstop consumers. (As if there weren't enough going on in the culture to make that happen.)

It all cries out for a teachable moment, a chance to sit down with your kids and let them show you how and why they are earning money on these sites, and what they are doing with it once they get it. For some guidance on that discussion, check out these tips from Common Sense Media. (Thanks to NetFamilyNews for the link.)

Without being a stick in the mud, sitting side by side your child while she plays on one of these sites provides a good opportunity to talk about how it's actually harder to accumulate real money. Remind them, jobs, not arcade games, are typically needed for significant cash inflow.

Common Sense Media points out that it's also a good way to talk to your kids about saving versus spending, and not spending everything the minute they get some currency built up.

Check out the tips, then let me know if you've had these kinds of talks with your kids and how you impart your values to bring some balance to the fun of online gaming.

LINK: Kids Social Sites and the Buying Bug [Common Sense Media]