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Gamification

What is Kid-targeted Variable Rewards?

Bright animations and unpredictable prizes are especially effective on children, whose impulse control is still developing.

Where it comes from

Youth-Targeted Gaming

How it hooks you

Exploits immature self-regulation: variable rewards form strong habits in adults, and children have fewer defenses against them.

How to resist it

Limit children's exposure to games that use randomized rewards. Teach them exactly how these mechanics are designed to manipulate them, as understanding the trick builds mental resistance.

Where you’ll run into it

More gamification tactics

Explore all 66 tactics in the app