The Lost Value of Money in the Digital Age
I still remember when my father gave me pocket money every month. I saved it carefully, and one day, I finally bought my first guitar. At 13, it felt like a dream come true. I counted every note, every coin—it made the moment feel real, like I had truly earned it.
We live in a world where a simple tap on a screen makes money disappear. People don’t even have to look at the price before making a purchase. With digital payments, spending feels effortless, and because there’s no physical exchange of money, the true value of it starts fading away.
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For many teens, money now exists in numbers on a screen rather than in their hands. This shift removes the emotional connection to spending. Swiping a card or using a phone to pay doesn’t feel like losing money—it feels like pressing a button. And that’s where the problem begins.
Parents often see their children spending mindlessly ordering food, subscribing to services, or making in-game purchases without a second thought. I remember seeing a news of a Kid who mindlessly spend his parent's money on a game and doesn't feel any remorse when he got caught. Meanwhile, teens struggle to grasp why their parents worry so much about "just a few Amounts." The disconnect is real, and it’s growing.
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1. Give Pocket Money in Cash – Handling physical money makes spending feel more real and helps kids understand limits.
2. Encourage Budgeting – Teach them to plan their spending and track expenses. A simple notebook can help.
3. Introduce Delayed Gratification – If they want something expensive, let them save for it. Waiting makes the purchase more meaningful.
4. Be Open About Finances – Talk about household expenses, savings, and priorities and even the liabilities. When teens see real financial decisions, they understand money isn’t endless.
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1. Track Every Expense – Write down every purchase, no matter how small. Seeing where money goes is eye-opening. It can be tracked through Apps.
2. Set Savings Goals – Saving for something special, like a gadget or a trip, makes money feel valuable.
3. Earn Your Own Money – A part-time job, selling something online, or freelancing makes spending decisions more thoughtful. Freelancing is more convenient in this digital era.
4. Think Before You Tap – Before buying anything, ask: “Would I still buy this if I had to pay in cash?”
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The digital age has made money easy to spend but harder to appreciate. Parents worry about mindless spending, while teens feel money is just a number on a screen. The key isn’t to resist technology but to balance it with real-world financial habits.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having money—it’s about understanding its worth. And that’s a lesson no digital wallet can teach.
Aleena KS
Research and Development Psychologist/Mentor