Report: In-game spending by children decreases to €31
21% of surveyed caregivers say minors spend money on loot boxes
The average monthly spending on in-game extras by children has decreased from €39 to €31, according to a new report.
This is according to a survey from Video Games Europe conducted by Ipsos, which surveyed 2,772 adults over 18 who are parents or guardians of children playing games.
Among the parents surveyed having children that play games, only 18% are allowed to spend money on in-game content. In that group, 73% of parents claimed their children spend between €1 and €20 a month on in-game extras, with the most popular being items that impact gameplay.
The survey also found that more than 90% of parents who allow their children to spend on in-game content supervise spending.
30% of minors purchase cosmetic items, while rewards such as loot boxes are the least popular at 21%.
In comparison, 76% of those surveyed said their children did not make in-game purchases. This statistic has remained stable since 2020.
Over three in five parents of children who spend on in-game extras claimed they have an agreement with their children on how they manage their spending, with 49% asking permission and 27% setting spending limits.
Overall, 11% of gamers aged between 11 and 64 said they had spent real money on in-game currency, with only 4% purchasing loot boxes.
Correction: A stat that previously suggested 73% of children that play games are allowed to spend on content has been amended.