The groups argue in their complaint that Prodigy’s claim that its product “builds essential math skills” and “improves grades and test scores,” aren’t backed by evidence. He also noted that Prodigy doesn’t show any outside ads, or sell or lease user information to others. But he added, “we have intentionally ensured that all educational elements remain available for free.”Īnd he said that without the subscription service, the company would have to put the whole program behind a paywall, which conflicts with its mission. The company takes concerns about its practices seriously and would be “pleased” to talk to the CCFC directly, he said.Īnd about those extras that premium subscribers get? “It is natural for subscription-based services to offer features that are not available to users of the free service,” Bigg said. … We do not pressure users into upgrading.” The game does let users know about premium memberships from “time to time,” he said in an email interview, so that students and parents are aware that they exist.īut, he added, “we look to do this responsibly and sparingly so it does not detract from the free game play experience or educational quality. James Bigg, a spokesman for Prodigy, countered those claims. Kids with Premium memberships are also allowed to advance through the game faster, which makes it appear that they are progressing faster in math. That creates “two classes of students, those whose families can afford a premium membership, and those that cannot.” “Children can see who has the cool stuff and who doesn’t,” the groups write. That’s, in part, because kids who are members are given access to “coveted virtual items,” including costumes and wizard spells, even when they play the game at school. “Prodigy unfairly manipulates children into asking their parents for a Premium membership,” argued the groups, which also include the Badass Teachers Association and the Network for Public Education. These ads promote the “Premium annual membership” version of the game, which can cost a little over $100 annually, if parents elect to pay month-to-month rather than buying a six-month or annual subscription.

But in the home-based version, students see up to four times as many advertisements than math questions, according to the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood. The school-based version doesn’t include advertisements, although it encourages kids to continue playing at home.

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Many schools integrate Prodigy into instruction. It is designed for use by students in grades 1-8, and anyone with an internet connection can sign up to receive free access to the game, according to Prodigy’s website. Prodigy has more than 100 million registered users around the world, according to a recent press release.

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