Parents face hidden costs in teenagers' online activities

Parents are taking a stand against their teenagers’ digital spending habits, particularly targeting subscription-based social media services and in-app purchases that they view as unnecessary expenses.

The growing resistance comes as teens increasingly spend money on digital products like Snapchat+ memberships and in-game purchases on platforms like Roblox, leading to concerns about financial responsibility and the value of virtual goods.

Kim Orozco, 48, from New Jersey, has implemented strict rules for her daughters Caylee, 14, and Carolina, 15, requiring them to use their own babysitting earnings for nonessential purchases. “I won’t pay for that s–t,” Orozco said, referring to items such as their $39.99 annual Snapchat+ memberships, manicures, and food delivery services. “They’ll DoorDash Starbucks every day if I let them.” She added that she would not pay for “another crop top that looks exactly like every other crop top” they already have sitting in their closets. 

Orozco also said most others in her circle refuse to give it to their teens’ impulse buys, especially for in-app purchases of nontangible extras that can quickly and easily add up, a phenomenon she called “highway robbery.”

The issue extends beyond social media subscriptions. Parents report substantial charges from gaming platforms, with one family facing $4,000 in expenses from their son’s Roblox purchases. The platform’s design obscures the distinction between real and virtual currency, leading to unexpected charges for many families.

One mom on Reddit said her son spent $568 on in-app games and coins on his Meta VR headset, while another parent wondered whether or not to let their kids spend their allowance on in-game purchases like Fortnite “digital currency,” claiming it is as useless as “Monopoly money.”

“It’s their money, and I’m all about letting them ‘waste’ it on cheap toys or impulse purchases because that’s hands-down the best way for them to learn important lessons,” like the importance of saving money or realizing that cheap things don’t last long, the user wrote.

“But V-bucks and Robux and all that other crap don’t seem like they’ll teach those lessons.”

Teenagers on social media platforms, particularly Snapchat, are willing to pay for premium features. Carolina Orozco considers her $39.99 yearly subscription “a good investment,” citing benefits such as customizable chat wallpapers and the ability to see who has rewatched their Stories.

Premium services have become a social necessity among teenagers. Mackenzie Murphy, 16, explained that the platform offers features for monitoring social connections, including viewing others’ “Best Friends” lists. “It is kind of a waste of money, but just once you have it, you do not want to take it away,” Murphy said.

Teens prefer Snapchat for communication over traditional text messaging. “I feel like when you think of text messages, you think of your parents, but when you are talking about your friends, you instantly turn to Snapchat because it is so teen-based,” Carolina Orozco said.

Pew Research data supports Snapchat’s popularity among teenagers. The company ranks Snapchat among the top social media platforms for teens, alongside Instagram and TikTok. According to the Cut, Snapchat maintains its user base by “gamifying friendship with features like streaks and trophies, boosting user engagement while making itself indispensable to maintaining relationships.”

Parents express frustration with the financial impact of these digital services. Shannon Murphy, 47, continues to pay for her daughter’s $3.99 monthly Snapchat+ subscription despite considering it “a waste of money.” Murphy, who dislikes social media, believes these platforms promote attention-seeking behavior among teens.

Some parents have taken more decisive action. Orozco banned Roblox in her household after experiencing multiple instances of unexpected charges. “Roblox robs you,” she said.

One Reddit user suggested that while traditional purchases can teach children about saving money and product quality, digital currencies like V-bucks and Robux may not offer the same learning opportunities.

“I just think it’s stupid,” said Shannon, who hates social media and wishes she could “take it all away.”

“They’re just all seeking attention.”