How to stop kids from making in-app purchases

Apple's 'Ask to Buy' feature is the most powerful protection for parents:

Setup:

1. Open Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing

2. Set up Family Sharing if not already done

3. Add each child as a family member

4. Tap on each child's name

5. Enable 'Ask to Buy'

How it works:

- Kid tries to make any purchase (app, in-app, subscription)

- Their device prompts for parent approval

- Parent gets notification on their own devices

- Parent approves or declines

- Without approval, purchase doesn't go through

The parent can approve from:

- Their iPhone

- Their iPad

- Their Mac

- iCloud.com (web)

This works for app store purchases, in-app purchases, Apple Music subscriptions, iCloud storage, and most Apple services.

It's not optional for young kids. Set it up before giving them any Apple device.

Google Play has similar parental controls for Android devices:

Setup:

1. Open Google Play Store

2. Tap profile icon > Settings > Family

3. Tap 'Parental controls'

4. Enable parental controls

5. Set a content restriction PIN (kids shouldn't know it)

6. For purchases: tap the menu > Settings > Require authentication for purchases

7. Choose 'For all purchases' (not 'every 30 minutes' or similar)

8. Set up biometric or PIN requirement

This requires biometric or PIN authentication for every Google Play purchase. Without your fingerprint or PIN, no purchase goes through.

Google Family Link (separate app):

- More comprehensive parental controls

- Approve app downloads remotely

- Set screen time limits

- See app activity

- Approve or decline purchase requests

Family Link is what most parents should use. It goes beyond just purchases into overall device management.

Even with parental controls, removing the payment method adds a layer of protection:

iPhone:

1. Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping

2. Remove all payment methods

3. Don't add any unless absolutely needed

4. If needed, use Apple ID balance (gift cards) only

Android:

1. Google Play > Profile > Payments & subscriptions > Payment methods

2. Remove all payment methods

3. Add only as needed with adult approval

Even better:

- Set up the device WITHOUT a payment method

- Use gift cards for any purchases the parent approves

- Gift cards have fixed value — once used up, no more purchases

Many 'accidental' purchases happen because:

- Card is on file from initial setup

- Kid doesn't need to ask for new card

- Authorization happens too quickly

Removing the payment method forces the kid to ask for a gift card or for the parent to add a payment method.

Technical controls are essential, but so is teaching kids about money:

For younger kids (under 8):

- 'Free' games often have purchases

- Don't tap buttons you don't understand

- Ask a grown-up before you tap anything with money signs

- Real money = real consequences

For older kids (8-12):

- In-app purchases are designed to make you want to spend

- The 'best deal' is usually the worst one (the one designed to make you spend the most)

- If a game is more fun with purchases, it's not really a game — it's a spending trap

- You have a budget (if you don't, ask for one)

For teens:

- The game companies are sophisticated at monetization

- 'Whales' are people who spend thousands — they're being exploited

- Loot boxes and similar mechanics are gambling-like

- Your data and attention are also being monetized

Even with perfect parental controls, kids eventually grow up and need to make their own spending decisions. Building awareness now helps them later.

Despite all the prevention, purchases sometimes slip through. Here's how to get refunds:

For Apple App Store purchases:

1. reportaproblem.apple.com

2. Sign in with your Apple ID

3. Find the purchase

4. Select 'I didn't authorize this' or 'I didn't mean to purchase this'

5. Submit

Apple is more lenient with:

- Recent purchases (within 14 days best)

- Kid purchases (be specific about age)

- First-time refund requests

- High-value purchases that look clearly accidental

For Google Play purchases:

1. Google Play > Profile > Payments & subscriptions > Budget & order history

2. Find the purchase

3. Tap 'Request refund' or 'Report a problem'

If denied, escalate:

- Contact developer directly

- Use chat support for live help

- Dispute with credit card company (last resort)

For purchases over $100:

- Most companies will refund at least partially

- Make your case clear

- Document the kid's age and the surprise

After setting up protections, monitor:

For the first few weeks:

- Check bank/credit card statements weekly

- Review App Store / Play Store purchase history

- Ask kids what they're playing and what they're tempted by

Watch for:

- New games with hidden purchase mechanics

- Subscription apps that auto-renew

- 'Free trial' offers inside games

- Ads that lead to other apps with purchase traps

If a specific game keeps triggering issues:

- Delete it

- Block it in Screen Time / Family Link

- Talk to your kid about why

If your kid keeps finding ways around restrictions:

- Review what's happening and why

- Restrict more aggressively

- Have a calm conversation about trust and money

- Consider whether the device is appropriate for their age

The tech and the conversations both matter. Most accidental purchases can be prevented. The few that slip through can usually be refunded. Together, that's near-total protection.