“The Spoiled Daughter” Triggers a Financial Crisis for Elderly Parents
Recently, a shocking incident occurred in Ha Bac Province, China. A 10-year-old girl secretly drained approximately 8,000 yuan (around 27 million dong) from her father’s account to purchase virtual items in electronic games on her mobile phone. It is worth noting that this amount represents the entire income of the father, a manual laborer, over three months, placing the family in a dire financial situation.
The father became aware of the situation after receiving a notification from the bank regarding suspicious transactions. Upon checking the account and confirming the details, he realized that the entire sum had been used by his daughter to fund her gaming activities. The girl had exploited the moment when he was unaware to unlock his phone, access the game, and execute numerous microtransactions in a short period.
Devastated, the father sought out the game publisher to request a refund. After verification, the company decided to refund 6,200 yuan (approximately 22 million dong) to the family, while retaining 1,800 yuan (around 6 million dong) for non-recoverable expenses, such as gifts that had been opened or used in the game. However, for this father, the financial loss remains significant and serves as an unforgettable lesson.
Lessons in Managing Household Finances
This incident not only stirred concern within Chinese society but also raised alarms about the risks of children using mobile devices without adequate supervision. Many opinions suggest that while households may not yet recognize the value of money and responsible spending behavior, the reliance on technology to monitor children’s spending is seriously lacking.
Thus, it is crucial for parents to establish protective measures such as using strong passwords, enabling restrictions, monitoring content, and tracking usage time on devices. Particularly, consistent discussions about the value of money and the consequences of excessive spending should be encouraged. Financial education should begin early to ensure that children understand the implications of their spending habits.
Additionally, this case also raises questions about the responsibilities of game publishing companies. It is clear that many current games are designed with mechanisms that entice players to spend money through attractive rewards, engaging sound effects, and easy-access “buy now” buttons, making it easy for children to fall into the trap of “virtual spending.” Although some platforms have implemented age verification technology, these measures are still rife with loopholes.
Source: Sohu
