Do you think it is a bad idea to have your children play this "cashless" monopoly?

Question

It just freaks me out that even simple board games are turning to electronic payments. It's teaching these kids that it's okay not to carry money, which I don't believe is true. Just wanted some other opinions.

http://www.failedsuccess.com/index.php?/weblog/comments/monopoly_debit_card/

Answer 1

Actually I think it was just a way to move the game along. I really think it helped me and other kids learn simple math. For kids, I would get the paper edition. But for adults, I might get the electronic version to make the game go by quicker. Interesting Question!

Answer 2

I am a boardgame collector and player.  I have over 100 monopoly games.  I will be buying soon, Ice Cream, M&Ms, and Coast Guard.  I have the Here & Now, and the Mega Monopoly, but I will never buy or even take as a gift the 'cashless" monopoly.

Answer 3

I don't think it's a bad idea to play if the gameplay is the only benefit you're looking for from the game.  And playing a game for fun is certainly a valid thing to do together as a family.

But, if you'd also like to teach or practice counting, adding, and subtracting, or fostering understanding of the value of money, saving, investing, and mortgaging, then I think the paper version is likely a much better way to go.  Even though the electronic version will still technically allow them to witness some of the financial concepts, because the transactions will be intangible and will happen quickly/instantly, it is unlikely that children, especially younger ones, will be able to abstract the ideas easily.

I don't think that playing either the electronic or paper version will influence the kids' ideas about using cash vs. electronic forms of money.  I think the real-life examples they see will be a far greater influence on their financial practices than this game.

Answer 4

I don't see that it can be a bad idea at all. I mean society is slowly turning into a cashless society anyway isn't it

Answer 5

Yes.

It's bad because if you play electronically how are they going to learn basic money management skills and basic mathematics.

I've played monopoly for as long as I can remember and that game thought me how to do simple addition and subtraction and now math is my best and favorite subject.  I'm 17 and feel everyone should have a monopoly board game no matter what kind as long as its not electronic.

Answer 6

Eh... I think it may teach kids that a credit card or something electronic is second nature, with money placed in the back of their mind, which is bad, beacuse kids today can lose track of money on a credit card very easily. I'm not saying all kids are like this though.

Answer 7

I know what you talking about with everything turning electronic.But I think parents can use this new game version for good if they point out to their kids that you have to use the credit card sparingly and only for major purchases or they're going to go into debt just like in the real world.

Answer 8

when i play, i like the money, it just is more interaactive to me...

Answer 9

Just because we don't like something doesn't mean we hide it from children forever.  Money is going in this direction, I don't like it either but may as well let kids understand how things are gonna be when they grow up.

Answer 10

Definitely a bad idea to play cashless Monopoly.  Or for that matter, any version of Monopoly.

There are so many games out there that are so much better.

If, heaven forbid, you actually like Monopoly, however, I would think the cashless game would be a real pain.  Every time an auction comes up you have to have everyone swipe their card to find out how much money they have?  What a nuisance!