Can video games improve kids’ money skills?
Can video games improve kids’ money skills?
Can video games improve kids’ money skills?
Kimberly Palmer
September 15, 2021
Summary
Mark Mazzu, a former banker and stockbroker who teaches at the online educational platform Outschool, uses Minecraft, another popular video game, to help kids learn about economics.
Financial literacy experts also say that whether kids really pick up money lessons through video games depends largely on how parents talk with them about their online experience.
Laura Vanderkam, author of "Off the Clock" and mother of five children under 15, says her kids picked up money lessons from the Roblox game Theme Park Tycoon, in which players build and run an amusement park.
She says parents can drive home those lessons by asking kids about the games and drawing real-world parallels.
Susan Beacham, CEO and founder of Money Savvy Generation, a financial education company, says video games often emphasize superficial purchases, like virtual decorations or dressing an avatar.
Jeff Haynes , senior editor of web and video games for Common Sense Media , a nonprofit that promotes safe technology and media for children and families, says the money lessons can start even before the game is played.
Kids have to consider how much games cost and why they prefer one game over another.
Reference
Palmer, K. (2021, September 15). Can video games improve kids' money skills? Retrieved November 08, 2021, from https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/9/15/22661182/video-games-kids-money-skills-finances-education