I have kids, there's no need for simulation. We have Roblox.
Which has been a surprisingly useful [1]real-world/low-stakes financial literacy course for them.
- They have been scammed.
- They have blown money on stupid useless stuff and cried with regret.
- They've applied for jobs (seriously, there was an application process and interview).
- They've made hundreds if not thousands of decisions balancing entertainment, commerce, utility, and budgeting.
It's all of the true feel-it-in-your-bones financial literacy that the article advocates for being delivered to them in the guise of blocky figures and them playing with friends.
1 - You buy Robux (the in-game currency) with real money, and for years, it's been the number one thing they've asked for as a gift.
Unfortunately you run the risk of your children learning "financial literacy" of the form "scamming people is lucrative, and gambling is fun and zero-consequence because it's all funny money anyway".
I mean I cut my teeth on RuneScape and it was the same kind of deal. I learned that cow hides rose in value as you bring them closer to the crafting centres and that middlemen who want to do it for you can take a generous cut for themselves.
Which has been a surprisingly useful [1]real-world/low-stakes financial literacy course for them.
- They have been scammed.
- They have blown money on stupid useless stuff and cried with regret.
- They've applied for jobs (seriously, there was an application process and interview).
- They've made hundreds if not thousands of decisions balancing entertainment, commerce, utility, and budgeting.
It's all of the true feel-it-in-your-bones financial literacy that the article advocates for being delivered to them in the guise of blocky figures and them playing with friends.
1 - You buy Robux (the in-game currency) with real money, and for years, it's been the number one thing they've asked for as a gift.