Gotta Spend ‘Em All? Understanding the Risks of Pokémon TCG Pocket for Children
Pokémon is a worldwide phenomenon, offering a rich and wonderful world filled with exciting adventures for fans of all ages. It isn’t something that I was ever hooked by, but I have a few friends who, to this day, will walk off in a different direction to catch a pesky Pokémon on their phone!
Pokémon ranges from physical trading card games (TCG) that have been popular for years to anime cartoons and a huge array of merchandise. Pokémon has wide appeal among various age groups. The latest digital offering, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket (often abbreviated as Pokémon TCG Pocket), is a free-to-play mobile adaptation available on the Google Play and Apple App Stores.
Whilst presented as a simplified, accessible version of the card game designed to recapture the thrill of collection, the app incorporates several mechanics that parents should be aware of, particularly relating to financial pressure and social interaction risks.
Here is what you need to know about the risks associated with Pokémon TCG Pocket and how to help protect your children from them.
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The Problem of Predatory Monetisation: Gacha Mechanics
Pokémon TCG Pocket centres around opening digital booster packs to collect cards. This mechanic is commonly known as a ‘gacha’ system and has attracted attention from public health scholars and regulators due to its similarity to gambling, having documented links to problem gambling. I previously wrote an article on the subject of skin gambling and loot boxes, which can be viewed below.
Selling Impatience via Timers
The game uses a timed gacha system. Players can open packs of five cards for free, typically earning one pack every 12 hours, with a maximum of two free packs per day. Once these free packs are used, players are forced to wait for the timer to expire unless they use in-game currency like ‘Pack Hourglasses’ or ‘Poké Gold’ to speed up the process.
This design creates a deliberate “blocking factor” that causes annoyance and impatience, which children can bypass by buying the in-game currency needed to eliminate the timer. The game preys on the need for instant gratification, encouraging continuous engagement and the development of a ‘habit of play’ reinforced by the daily rewards.
Confusing Costs and Encouraging Overspending
The shop section of the app advises minors that they should always get permission from a parent or guardian to make a purchase, but we know that’s only because they have to right? On the other hand, the game encourages spending through manipulative design elements:
Price Obfuscation: The use of multiple in-game currencies (such as Poké Gold, item tokens, Pack Hourglasses, Shop Tickets, and Wonder Hourglasses) makes it difficult for players to determine the accurate “true cost of in-game transactions”.
Bundle Deals: Poké Gold, which can be used to bypass timers, can only be bought in bundles. Larger bundles provide incrementally better exchange rates (a form of “discount”), which is designed to encourage users to spend a larger amount of money all at once.
High Spending Limits: The game has a daily spending limit expressed in Poké Gold (720 units), which equates to roughly 120–150 USD. This limit can be spent repeatedly, day after day, and reports show that some players have spent more than $100 USD each day for several months without intervention. Do we really think that is a responsible limit for children?
Social Risks and Trading Hazards
While collecting cards is the main motivation for playing, leading to exhibition spaces like Community Showcases where players show off their best cards, the app’s trading features present safety risks for children.
Pokémon TCG Pocket allows users to trade cards with their friends by searching for them using a Player ID. However, the current trading system has rightly been criticised because it requires players to find trade partners outside the game.
This flaw means children seeking trades are forced to communicate externally to coordinate, which opens the door to potential scams, grooming, and unsafe interactions when children seek strangers online.
Advice for Parents: Keeping Your Child Safe
While the app developers, do state that they prioritise creating enjoyable experiences in a safe and family-friendly environment and have partnered with organisations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), parental vigilance is, as always, essential to navigate the financial and social risks of the game.
Here are some practical steps that you, as parents, can take:
1. Monitor In-App Purchases: Discuss the financial mechanics of the game with your child. Ensure that spending limits are set on the device or platform (Apple App Store/Google Play Store) and that your child understands the importance of seeking your permission before attempting any purchase.
2. Discuss Loot Boxes and Instant Gratification: Explain that the ‘Pack Hourglasses’ and ‘Poké Gold’ are mechanisms designed to make them impatient and spend money unnecessarily. Teach them that the free packs should be sufficient for enjoyment.
3. Supervise Trading and Social Interaction: Since the game’s trading system requires external communication to find partners, parents must monitor how and with whom their child interacts outside the app to coordinate trades. Warn your child against using their Player ID to engage with strangers online and explain the risks of potential scams or grooming.
4. Utilise Available Safety Resources: The Pokémon Company supports NCMEC’s mission and directs families to NCMEC’s website for internet-safety resources. Review these resources together and establish clear household rules for online play.
By understanding the gacha mechanics and the external communication required for trading, parents can equip their children to enjoy the world of Pokémon TCG Pocket while staying safe from financial exploitation and unsafe interactions.
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