Guides / Money skills for kids
In-app purchases and kids' online spending
Turn on purchase controls and talk about how games make money.
Games and apps are designed to make spending easy. A few settings and an honest conversation prevent surprise charges.
Settings to turn on
- Require a password or approval for every purchase on phones, tablets and consoles
- Use the family sharing or parental controls on each device
- Remove saved cards from game accounts
- Use prepaid gift cards for planned game spending
Talk about it
- Explain that "free" games make money from purchases and ads
- Point out timers and limited offers designed to rush decisions
- Let kids spend their own allowance, so they feel the trade-off
If there's a surprise charge
Contact the app store or console maker quickly. Many have a process for requesting refunds of purchases made by children.
General educational information. Costs and rules vary by family, school and state. Family Nickel Saver isn't paid by any bank, plan or brand.