Amid increasing cases of school non-attendance in Japan, parents are grappling with another unexpected problem — unauthorized spending in online games while they're away. Parents are sounding the alarm over the potential financial impacts, seeking ways to mediate their children's digital habits against the backdrop of a society still adjusting to remote learning.

School non-attendance or "futoko" is a growing issue in Japan, implicating both educational and social values. The rise of remote learning during the pandemic has additionally placed many students in an unsupervised environment, adding to the potential for digital overspending. The issue touches upon various debates in Japan, including the role of parents, the impact of technology on youth, and the adequacy of current protective measures against child spending in online games.

In the US and EU, unauthorized in-app purchases by minors have also been a cause for concern. However, there are more established frameworks for digital responsibility, as well as systems for disputing unintended purchases. In some cases, large tech companies have been sued and subsequently worked out agreements to refund parents for these unauthorized purchases.