[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”2px||4px|2%|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Qustodio team” position=”Experts in digital safety” image_url=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/10\/01090043\/Qustodio-Team.png” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||24px|7px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” position_text_align_tablet=”” position_text_align_phone=”center” position_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2022\/02\/07083746\/Blog_SafetyGuide-BitLifeHero.png” alt=”Is Bitlife life simulation safe for kids” title_text=”Blog_SafetyGuide-BitLifeHero” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||24px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Want to live your best (or worst) life? That\u2019s exactly what BitLife, the simulation game downloaded by millions around the world, allows players to do. In its very own app description, <\/span>BitLife encourages users to \u201csimulate adult life\u201d and \u201cplay choices that horrify your parents\u201d<\/b>. With such vivid descriptions, we simply had to investigate to see if<\/span> BitLife is really safe for kids,<\/b> and what parents can do to make gameplay less \u201chorrifying\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n BitLife is <\/span>a single player life simulation game<\/b> in which users make decisions based on a series of multiple choice questions presented to them as they get older (within the game). Such is life, the game follows the player from childhood through to adulthood, and invites them to make a series of decisions which will affect their future, such as what to study at college. While playing, users can decide what they want to do with their free time, what they want to spend money on, and who they want to form relationships with. They can buy properties, go for workouts at the gym, and tend to their garden – all activities the average person might experience during their lifetime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The profiles and storylines behind the life simulator are all made up – BitLife is like a role play app, and while this simulation might sound relatively innocent, <\/span>the app introduces more mature themes as the character grows<\/b>, such as the character\u2019s sexual activity and alcohol use. And while the majority of activities the user can engage with are run-of-the-mill, there are also more immoral decisions and activities to be encountered, such as whether to engage in criminal activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 1. Life simulation<\/b><\/p>\n From The Sims to Animal Crossing, kids have been playing life simulation games for decades. Their popularity rests in putting people in charge: <\/span>simulation games mimic many aspects of real life<\/b>, and it\u2019s appealing for kids and adults alike to be in control of how, and when something happens to their in-game character.<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Social sharing\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n BitLife also has a social aspect to it, in which the user is encouraged to share milestones and events with their friends on social media. Kids may enjoy sharing the different scenarios they\u2019re faced with, and their own individual outcome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Choosing their own destiny\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Another appeal of life simulation games is the fact that <\/span>there\u2019s no right or wrong way to play<\/b> them. Within these games, your child is invited to make their own decisions – learning from successes and failures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Simple gameplay\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n <\/b>Relying on few visuals, <\/span>the multiple-choice format is easy to navigate<\/b>, which makes it simple for children to quickly understand how to play. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2022\/02\/07083759\/Blog_SafetyGuide-BitLifeInsideImage.png” alt=”Should kids play Bitlife” title_text=”Blog_SafetyGuide-BitLifeInsideImage” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The themes brought up across gameplay in BitLife are <\/span>inappropriate for very young children, and most teenagers<\/b>. However, if you are a parent of young adults or older teenagers, you may decide that playing BitLife could be an opportunity for you as a family to discuss some of the themes the app brings up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A significant amount of the decision-making is based around <\/span>themes which would mostly be considered inappropriate for children<\/b>, including drug use, the user\u2019s sex life, criminal activity, and much more.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Bitlife\u2019s maker, Candywriter LLC, states that \u201cour Services are not directed, or intended for children under the age of 16\u201d in its <\/span>terms and conditions<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On official app stores, however, the recommended age rating is higher, with <\/span>Apple<\/span><\/a> classifying it as suitable for 17+, and <\/span>Android<\/span><\/a> labeling it with their \u201cMature 17+\u201d tag.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While it\u2019s not necessary to buy anything in the game to make it playable, in-app purchases are designed to be frequent and difficult to click away from<\/strong>, so it\u2019s possible children could accidentally say yes to in-app purchases as they navigate the app.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There is an upgraded version of the app, called Bitizenship<\/strong>, which offers:<\/span><\/p>\n Players can also remove in-app purchases, but not access any Bitizenship features, for a lower one-time payment price.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, for a higher price, Bitlife players can unlock \u201c<\/strong><\/span>God mode<\/a><\/strong>\u201d<\/strong>, which allows them to make edits to names and people\u2019s appearance throughout the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Most of the promoted ad content tends to be for similar life-simulation style apps, which often feature mature themes as part of their storyline. It\u2019s possible that <\/span>your child could be prompted to download apps which contain much more inappropriate content <\/b>than the BitLife game itself, especially as in-game ads are run frequently and are unskippable.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With younger children, we\u2019d certainly recommend blocking the app entirely, but with older teenagers, you may want to have an open and honest discussion surrounding the app and how it might not fit in with your family\u2019s values.<\/span><\/p>\n To help make BitLife safer for older teens, you could try:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In theory, life simulation games can be a healthy way for kids to learn about the real world, and experiment. As every in-game action has a consequence, it\u2019s a good way for children to learn from their mistakes, or lack of them. However, <\/span>BitLife isn\u2019t the best example of a life simulation game<\/b>. While the simplistic form makes it easy to play, it\u2019s more mindless than mindful entertainment, and as it\u2019s scattered with random prompts to make unrealistic life decisions, or even illegal ones, the case for any educational aspect is difficult to plead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a parent, you know what\u2019s best for you and your family, and what kind of games and apps you\u2019re comfortable with your child playing. We\u2019d suggest <\/span>seeking out more complete, age-appropriate life simulation games<\/b>, such as ones that allow your child to decide the fate of individuals, families, or even whole cities and communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the right life simulation game, your child can get creative with design, explore and develop their planning and problem-solving skills, and so much more. That game certainly isn\u2019t BitLife!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Want to live your best (or worst) life? That\u2019s exactly what BitLife, the simulation game downloaded by millions around the world, allows players to do. In its very own app description, BitLife encourages users to \u201csimulate adult life\u201d and \u201cplay choices that horrify your parents\u201d. With such vivid descriptions, we simply had to investigate to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":21911,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is BitLife? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
What do kids like about BitLife?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Is BitLife safe for kids?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How old do you have to be to use Bitlife?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Is Bitlife free?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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In-app advertising in Bitlife<\/b><\/h2>\n
How can I make BitLife safe for my kids?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Qustodio\u2019s final advice on BitLife<\/strong><\/h2>\n