A fascinating study commissioned by brokerage Charles Schwab investigating how teenagers' treat money and debt has been grabbing the headlines in the United States, and contains some findings that we in the UK could do well to consider.
The survey entitled "Teens and Money, 2008" has highlighted American teenagers' casual approach to debt and interestingly suggests that their habits could be learned from an early age, playing board and computer games and with other toys that incorporate credit cards as an integral part of the fun. Some commentators in the States have gone so far as to suggest that games and other gifts send the wrong message to children about money.
As the results of the survey are from American teenagers, it would be interesting to duplicate the research here in the UK. The survey produced results which have certainly got parents and child experts talking:
- 51% of teenagers agree that it's easier to buy things with credit cards
- Given the choice almost 1 in 3 teenagers would prefer to buy with a credit card
- Teens are motivated by parent's behaviour, 25% saying that their parents are more likely to use a credit card than cash
- 29% of teens are already in debt
One US radio host Dave Ramsey is certain that toys such as Dora the Explorer and Barbie action figures carrying their own credit cards are now sending out all the wrong messages. "It's out of control!" he raged. "McDonalds recently gathered a focus group that identified anyone using a credit card at the restaurant would spend almost 47% more than those using cash. And what's one of the toys released in time for Christmas this year? A McDonald's cash register that teaches kids how to use credit cards.
"As a parent we can't get mad at Dora or Barbie, but we need to step back and think what message we're sending to our kids," warns Ramsey. He does not believe that rampant commercialisation of toys such as Game of Life, which is sponsored by Visa in the States help, nor does the adaptation of traditional games such as Monopoly to incorporate a credit card deals within the game."
But, it remains to be seen whether this US commentator's concerns are applicable in the UK. Credit cards are yet to be introduced as an accessory for Barbie, and thankfully the UK electronic bank version of Monopoly uses only debit cards, which is a more responsible approach and one that Ramsey would certainly applaud. In the UK we are certainly a long from having Action Man and Barbie sit down and compare credit cards in their wallets, which might not be the case in the US.
