A little insight into Nintendo Network’s $0.50 charge for minor registration
To register a child on Wii U’s Nintendo Network, you have to fork over a $0.50. Hoping to receive some clarification as to why this fee is necessary, a console owner sent in a message to Nintendo’s customer support.
According to a representative, the free is in place “so that parents have the chance to see the payment on their credit card statement, and to alert Nintendo if consent was improperly provided.” The rep also reconfirmed that the $0.50 charge is a one-time payment. Registering additional minors won’t cost you anything.
“…I can certainly understand your concerns regarding the $0.50 charge applied to verify a minor’s account through the Nintendo Network. I can tell you that this is a one-time fee to verify that a parent or guardian has provided consent. This one-time payment is a commonly used and accepted parental control method required so that parents have the chance to see the payment on their credit card statement, and to alert Nintendo if consent was improperly provided. It may be worth noting that if you have any other children who wish to create an account, once the first child’s account has been set up you will not be charged again. Your parental control PIN is all that is required to set up additional child accounts.”