Digital Money

Before we start

Five minutes before Lesson 1, no scoring.

1. 1. Is money you tap with a card or phone real money? Why?
2. 2. A game is 'free' but keeps asking you to buy things. What's going on?
3. 3. A message says 'act now or lose your account!'. What would you do first?

Lesson 1. Money you can't see

Byte · 45 min · Show that money tapped from a card or phone is the same real money as a coin and still runs out.

1. The card holds €10. After tapping €3 for a snack and €4 for a game item, how much is left?
2. Is the money you tapped less real than a coin?
3. If only €2 is left and you tap to buy the €3 snack, what happens?
4. Name one habit that helps you track invisible spending.

Lesson 2. The charge that comes back

Byte · 45 min · Distinguish one-time from recurring costs.

1. Total A?
2. Total B across the three charged months?
3. Which costs more over that period and by how much?
4. What should be checked before agreeing to B?

Lesson 3. The "free" game that isn't

Byte · 45 min · Show that a free game can still cost real money through small in-app extras that add up.

1. Add the week's extras: €1 + €2 + €2. What is the total?
2. Why was calling the game "free" misleading?
3. How can a single €1 tap feel small yet still matter?
4. Write the rule to use before buying an extra.

Lesson 4. Urgent message, calm check

Byte · 45 min · Spot pressure tactics and verify independently.

1. Underline three warning signs.
2. Should Byte click the supplied link?
3. How can Byte check a real account without the message's link?
4. What should Byte tell a trusted adult?

Final mission. Byte's safety checklist

Byte · 45 min · Use one calm five-point checklist to handle any digital-money situation safely.

1. Which checklist point best catches situation (a), the "closes in 5 minutes" message?
2. Which point best catches situation (b), the bargain site that wants payment by code?
3. Why is "it knows my name" not proof a message is safe?
4. Which checklist point do you think matters most, and why?

Extension. The “tap again” receipt

Byte · 45 min · Check an in-app purchase total and identify confirmation screens.

1. Verify €3+€4+€2.
2. Remove one item to keep the total at or below €6.
3. If the outfit is removed, what is the new total?
4. Does a “confirm” tap make the payment reversible automatically?

Extension. Is this shop real?

Byte · 45 min · Check that an online seller is trustworthy before buying anything.

1. List three warning signs on the fictional site.
2. A toy that usually costs €20 is shown for €4 — why can a very low price be a lure?
3. Name one safe check to do before buying.
4. Why is paying "by sending a code" to a stranger risky?

Extension. Keep your secret code secret

Byte · 45 min · Show that a PIN, password or one-time code is never shared, even when a message asks nicely or urgently.

1. What is the message really trying to get?
2. Should Byte ever reply with a one-time code?
3. Who should a secret code stay secret from?
4. Write Byte's safe reply.

Extension. The real price at checkout

Cash · 45 min · Show that the sticker price is not always the final price, because shipping and fees change the total.

1. Shop A shows €8, then adds €3 shipping and a €1 fee — what is the real total?
2. Shop B shows €10 with free shipping and no fee — what is its total?
3. Which shop is cheaper overall, and by how much?
4. Why can comparing only the sticker price mislead you?

My money reflection

A quiet close to the month.

1. Why tapped money is still real money to me…
2. A pressure trick I can now spot…
3. One step from Byte's checklist I'll always use…

Cut-out coins

Play money for the lessons and the mission — fictional, for practice only. Cut along the dashed circles; print one page per pair for extra coins.