Digital natives, as they’re called.
But of course, children still have a lot to learn, including the proper use of the devices they’re given. Can’t blame them for the innocent mistakes they make.
Business owner Julmar Grace Locsin (39) learned that the hard way when she discovered her son had spent over US$2,000 on mobile games.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Locsin recounts that she was looking through some bank statements when she realized that Tice, one of her twin boys, had unknowingly bought US$2,081 worth of mobile games on January 6. 2021. Keyword: Unknowingly.
Her husband’s old phone was handed to the boy back in Christmas last year, but could only be used for certain kid-friendly apps like Superbook, Messenger Kids, and War Robots.
“We control their tech time. They are only allowed two hours a day of mobile phones and the apps that they are allowed to use are only Superbook, Messenger Kids, and War Robots, especially for Tice because he loves robots. He would like to be a robotics expert in the future, so this is for us a way to empower that interest,” Locsin told Inquirer.net.
However, like most smartphone apps, there tends to be in-app purchases available.
And that’s exactly where Tice started off. But then the eight-year-old ‘progressed’ to full-blown paid apps.
“I was really surprised and mad. I called both of them right away and asked them, with my voice already in a high tone. His initial explanation was the first version was ‘boring,’ so he went on to the better versions,” Locsin said.
While the boy didn’t intend to spend his parents’ money on these apps, he did break one golden rule, which was the downloading of other apps. What did he get for this? A spanking.
Locsin and her husband then gathered Tice and his twin brother Sovi for a little life lesson on the importance of following rules.
“He cried a lot after we talked about it and forgave him. He was very sorry and was too cute with those irresistible eyes. We explained that they are worth more than all the money in the world, but following rules is also a good life skill to abide by,” Locsin explained.
“It was a life lesson we wanted to emphasize. For us, we don’t mind the money, we wanted them to know how important these lessons are especially when they grow up and lead their own families.”
Locsin and her husband have now added preventative measures to their Google Play account, like parental controls and a password.
They’ve also processed the refunds for the purchases made by little Tice. However, it hasn’t been reflected in their bank account yet at the time of writing.
Tice and his twin brother also have their own Facebook page, where they post a lot of fun videos. You can check it out here.
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Cover image sourced from Julmar Grace Locsin / Facebook.
