Study: 58% of Kids Spent Money Online Last Month
An Ofcom survey of UK children ages 8 to 17 found 58% spent money online in the past month, with gaming and social media driving most purchases.
An Ofcom survey of UK children ages 8 to 17 found 58% spent money online in the past month, with gaming and social media driving most purchases.
More than half of children are now spending real money online, according to a national study from Ofcom.
The June 2025 report surveyed 2,205 UK children ages 8 to 17 and their parents in March 2025. It found that 58% of children had spent money online in the past month, whether on social media, video platforms, or while gaming.
Gaming is the biggest driver. 97% of children play online games, and 53% of those who gamed in the last month spent money inside games, often on in-game currency or cosmetic items like skins. On social media, 36% of monthly users bought something they had seen on a platform in the last month, often after seeing an advert, an influencer post, or a limited-time offer.
Many children enjoy spending, but regret follows close behind. About 32% of children who spent money in games say they often regret those purchases, and 43% of social media buyers say the same. Around 42% also find it unclear what they are actually buying inside games.
Parents are paying attention: 53% say they are concerned about their child's online spending, and 84% use some form of control or monitoring, such as device restrictions or app controls.
The simplest fix is a family rule: no purchase without asking first, plus spending alerts switched on. A short talk about how games and apps are designed to tempt quick buys can save both money and arguments.