The only difference I see between my spending on nintendo games and your son is that I used cash instead of an credit card attached to an itunes account.
The problem is that it is too easy to forget we are spending real money. Clicking YES on a popup is a lot easier than physically removing a 20 dollar bill from your wallet and handing it over. After a cash transaction, I reflect on my empty wallet. After a credit card purchase, I have to check my balance... if I even remember.
I dont blame the game companies for trying to make addicting games any more than I blame restaurants for asking if I want to try the specials or if I have room for dessert.
tl;dr, credit cards are dangerous. As they always have been.
Good points, in my son's case he uses pre-paid iTunes cards - which are widely available these days. Same effect - once the initial purchase is made and the card loaded onto the account, its almost too easy to make in game purchases.
The only difference I see between my spending on nintendo games and your son is that I used cash instead of an credit card attached to an itunes account.
The problem is that it is too easy to forget we are spending real money. Clicking YES on a popup is a lot easier than physically removing a 20 dollar bill from your wallet and handing it over. After a cash transaction, I reflect on my empty wallet. After a credit card purchase, I have to check my balance... if I even remember.
I dont blame the game companies for trying to make addicting games any more than I blame restaurants for asking if I want to try the specials or if I have room for dessert.
tl;dr, credit cards are dangerous. As they always have been.