Overview
Loot Boxes and In-Game Spending
This course is designed for primary aged pupils (7 to 11 years) to help them understand loot boxes and in-game spending in online games, with a strong focus on online safety, wellbeing, and informed decision-making.
What this course covers
- What loot boxes are, explained in simple, age-appropriate language
- The different forms loot boxes can take, such as boxes, packs, spins, or wheels
- Understanding that in-game currency represents real money
- Knowing that loot box outcomes are based on chance, not skill
- How games use excitement, timers, and pressure to encourage spending
- When spending in games may become rushed or unhelpful
Key safety messages for pupils
- In-game money is real money
- You do not always know what you will get when you pay in a game
- Games may try to rush you into spending
- It is okay to pause and walk away from a game
- Children are not expected to make spending decisions alone
- Talking to a trusted adult is the safest way to handle spending in games
What’s Included in the Download?
Ready to deliver slide deck
Fully prepared lesson slides with clear teacher notes for confident, no prep delivery.
Pupil quiz
Age appropriate questions to check understanding and reinforce key safety messages.
Classroom poster
Visual reminders to reinforce learning and support ongoing discussions about Loot Boxes
Parent handout
Clear, simple guidance ready to be emailed to parents explaining what children learned and how to continue the conversation at home.
Teacher checklist (compliance and evidence)
Printable checklist to support RSHE (England) and RSHP (Scotland) curriculum evidence and safeguarding records.
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:
- Explain what a loot box is in simple, age-appropriate language
- Understand that loot boxes involve paying before knowing what the reward will be
- Recognise that loot boxes can appear in different forms across games
- Understand that in-game currency represents real money
- Identify that loot box rewards are based on chance, not skill
- Recognise how excitement, pressure, or fear of missing out can influence spending decisions
- Understand that children are not expected to make spending decisions alone
- Know when and how to pause, stop, and seek help from a trusted adult
- Recognise when spending in games feels confusing or uncomfortable
- Know what action to take if spending in a game causes worry, including talking to a trusted adult
How This Meets RSHE, RSHP and KCSIE
RSHE (England)
This lesson supports statutory Relationships Education and Health Education requirements by helping pupils to:
- Understand that some online games include paid features that are designed to influence behaviour
- Recognise that excitement, pressure, or fear of missing out can affect decision making
- Understand that in-game currency represents real money
- Identify situations in digital spaces where they may feel rushed or uncomfortable
- Learn that children are not expected to make spending decisions alone
- Know how and when to seek help from trusted adults
The lesson reinforces key RSHE themes including:
- Online safety and digital resilience
- Understanding risk in digital environments
- Personal boundaries and decision making
- Emotional wellbeing and help-seeking behaviour
Teaching is age-appropriate, non-alarming, and empowering, focusing on understanding and support rather than fear or blame, in line with guidance from Department for Education.
KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education)
This lesson supports KCSIE safeguarding duties by:
- Educating pupils about online risks related to digital games and in-game spending
- Helping pupils recognise design features that may encourage repeated or rushed spending
- Supporting pupils to identify when something online feels confusing, pressured, or uncomfortable
- Encouraging early disclosure and reassuring pupils they will not be in trouble for speaking up
- Reinforcing the role of trusted adults and clear safeguarding pathways
The lesson contributes to a whole-school safeguarding approach by:
- Promoting a culture of openness and communication
- Supporting preventative education rather than reactive intervention
- Providing documented evidence through lesson plans, teacher checklists, and parent communication
RSHP (Scotland)
This lesson aligns with Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) experiences and outcomes by supporting pupils to:
- Develop awareness of safety and risk in digital and online environments
- Understand trust, influence, and appropriate boundaries
- Build emotional literacy and confidence in decision making
- Recognise when support is needed and identify trusted people
The lesson reflects RSHP principles by being:
- Age and stage appropriate
- Inclusive and accessible for all pupils
- Focused on wellbeing, relationships, and personal safety
- Delivered in a supportive, non-judgemental way
The approach is consistent with guidance supported by Education Scotland.
Whole School and Parental Engagement
In addition, this resource supports schools by:
- Providing parent newsletter to extend learning beyond the classroom
- Supporting consistent safeguarding messages between school and home
- Offering inspection-ready evidence through structured lesson plans and teacher checklists
- Helping schools demonstrate a proactive approach to online safety and wellbeing