Evil Publishers or Stupid Parents?

In-game purchases left a £4000 credit card bill for one Mum. Is she right to blame game makers, or is it a failure in understanding parental controls?

[Majin-vegeta]

Stupid parents obviously,

[styferion]

It's the same like parents blaming video games for their children violence or parents blaming teacher because their children's low test scores, adult ignorance..

[TheSaint]

100% their fault if they don't know what games their kids are playing.

Also leaving CC info readily available to your child is asking for trouble.

[Volkama]

I'd attribute a good portion of the blame to the publishers as well.

Parents have ultimate responsibility over what their child plays, but the pitfalls and moneygrabs within some of these games are not always immediately apparent or easy to skirt around/disable. The design often borders on unethical and it's no wonder some children (and adults) get caught out.

It's also logistically impossible to pre-screen every piece of content your child will consume. Age ratings and instinct wont always match your own judgement, but they're often the best tools you have.

Personally I don't allow my children access to any network, so I wont be caught out with a bill like this but it's not realistic to expect every parent be savvy enough to dodge these traps. And that's not the same thing as being stupid.

[GentlemenRUs]

Mostly the parents to blame... But there is another thing!

Some games subliminally hypnotize kids into micro's with flashy graphics, sounds and demanding cash to pass.

It's been like this for years now.

[thereapersson]

Well that is why you implement preventative measures so kids can't access credit card funds without authorization. Putting a password on purchases is the best way to prevent things like this from happening. I do it on my PSN account so unauthorized purchases can't be made.

[Rai]

Stupid parents...why would you leave your credit card information on something children have access too? Every time I purchase something I always remove my information.

[XXXL]

I guess this parents babysitter finally charged them. Idiots

[TH3BR3W]

Lol you just explained modern day parenting in one sentence. Too often do parents leave children to be entertained over taking even a little time to ensure their development is up to par. Sure we have kids now with some of the best eye hand coordination to date, but at what cost?

I love my video games do not take me for a hater. I do believe children have the right to entertainment via video games but children are taught civility, restraint, and discipline it is not instinct. In my eyes children should earn the privledge first as that is what my parents did back when the genesis was just starting out. I earned my game system and every game that I had.

I don't want to tell people how to raise their kids but I would surely like for them to at least have some insight on how they can better their children's lives.

About this topic though, why would the parents put and leave the credit card info on their? Dumb if u a ask me. Do I think they need to pay it? Well yes and no, I think it would be the poster child for other parents out their to learn from these parents mistake but at the same time it's tough enough to get by as it is. Have the company reverse the purchases and ban the account as punishment.

[ChristopherJack]

Stupid is demeaning to the average person, naive or ignorant maybe a little more appropriate but both parties are clearly at fault; parents for trusting their kids & being unaware of how the app operates & not knowing how to prevent your phone from storing your payment details.

The game makers are at fault for exploiting this. Consumer ignorance does not excuse their almost criminal behaviour. Also this whole blame the victim thing doesn't sit very well with me, regardless of your opinion on how retarded they were.

I myself have seen how many of these apps operate & there's no denying how bad they are, especially those with pop ups that shove "buy 'X' now" into your face, it's disgusting how they can get away with it. I've nearly bought some in game currency for $100 because my screen misread my finger press- luckily I had enough foresight to prevent my phone from storing my payment info.

[Volkama]

Well said.

[Dirkster_Dude]

While I feel it is mostly the parent's responsibility to watch the child I also feel there should be some accountability on the part of the developer and publisher. We aren't talking about hundreds, but thousands of dollars. $6670.00 (USD). No one should be able to spend that kind of money on Micro Transactions.

[Lukejrl]

The problem too is that there is no tangible item to show for the money. The micro transactions are digital. You can soon lose track of what was purchased. Also credit card companies look at purchases that seem unreasonable and call you. My mother in law got a call last week when she bought some stuff from a site she doesn't usually use.

Parents need to educate themselves on what their kids can do no question. but these developers need to not make micro transactions so enticing, as the article said: some micro transactions can be likened to gambling

[Minipandaninja]

I honestly dont understand how you can spend that much on a game. I used to think 60$ was too much for a game. Still I prefer 60$ for a complete awesome game like (put your favorite game here) than a free to play half of a game that i need to put cash to play. Simpsons tapped out was cool before i realized they are taunting you to buy donuts and a character that does nothing cost 15$ ( for that price i can buy MGS4 and probably 2 more games ).

Parents probably dont know how it works now they know.

[SkinnyAssGamer]

their both at Fault parents should know not to leave their Credit unguarded as well as Publishers should know not to charge for things that should already be in the game im single and no kids im 21 so thank the Sony Gods i dont have to worry about one part but still its both of their faults Game Purchases should be accessible through Gameplay ONLY for the challenge of playing a game and not be a Casual Tard by purchasing everything like CoD Tards do, its both of their fault parents need to be more responsible as well as PUblihsers need to remove things from in purchases that way all gamers can enjoy a challenge and not have to worry about a Rank 1 NOOB with a Rank 119 Weapon or sword or spell or whatever what happened to starting from the bottom and grinding your way to the top in games?

[Jamesx82x]

Stupid parents for the most part. However this kid is 13 years old so in this case there is no way he didnt have any idea what he was doing. I blame them both on this one mostly the kid though. I dont see fault with the publishers they arent forcing you to partake and when used responsibly the micro transactions on these games can add a nice bit of fun to the experience.

[killzzo]

both, both of them are heretics