TL;DR
If you don't want to find a $99.99 charge for "a giant bucket of gems" on your credit card statement next month, you need to do two things right now:
- Enable "Ask to Buy" on Apple devices or Purchase Authentication on Android.
- Require a password for every single purchase, even the free ones.
Check out our guide on setting up iOS Screen Time
Learn how to manage Google Family Link
Ask our chatbot about the sneakiness of in-app purchases
We’ve all heard the horror stories. A parent hands their phone to a toddler to keep them quiet during a long grocery run, and twenty minutes later, they’ve accidentally bought $400 worth of "smurfberries" or whatever the modern equivalent is. These days, it’s usually Roblox or Brawl Stars.
The App Store and Google Play Store are designed to be frictionless. They want it to be easy to spend money. Our job as parents is to put that friction back in. Think of parental controls not as a "lockdown," but as a Bank Account Shield. It’s the digital version of not leaving your wallet open on the playground.
Kids don't see digital currency as "real" money. To an 8-year-old, clicking a shiny gold button in Fortnite to get a new skin feels exactly the same as clicking a button to jump. They aren't trying to bankrupt you; they literally do not understand the connection between that tap and the mortgage payment.
Furthermore, many games use "dark patterns"—design choices meant to trick users into spending. This is rampant in mobile games like Candy Crush Saga or even educational-ish apps that bombard kids with "Upgrade Now!" pop-ups.
If your family is on iPhones or iPads, Apple’s "Family Sharing" is your best friend.
1. Enable "Ask to Buy"
This is the gold standard. When your child tries to download a new app or buy an in-game item, a notification pops up on your phone. You can see what it is, how much it costs, and then tap "Approve" or "Decline."
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing.
- Tap your child’s name.
- Tap Ask to Buy and turn it on.
2. Require a Password for Purchases
Even if you don't use Family Sharing, you should ensure that your device doesn't "remember" your password for 15 minutes after you enter it. That 15-minute window is where the damage happens.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Password Settings.
- Select Always Require Password.
Google uses an app called Google Family Link to manage this.
1. Set Up Purchase Approvals
- Open the Family Link app.
- Select your child.
- Tap Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Play.
- Under "Purchases & download approvals," select All content, Only paid content, or Only in-app purchases. (Pro-tip: Choose "All content" so you can vet the "free" apps that are often full of YouTube style brain-rot ads).
This is where they really get you. Your kid downloads a "free" drawing app or a game like Toca Life World. It offers a "3-day free trial." Your kid clicks it, you approve it because it says "$0.00," and then four days later, you're hit with a $14.99/month recurring charge that you won't notice for three months.
The Fix: Always check the "In-App Purchases" section on the app's store page before hitting approve. If you see "Weekly Subscription," it’s a red flag.
Ages 4-8: Total Lockdown
At this age, there is zero reason for a child to have the ability to click "buy." Everything should go through you. Use "Ask to Buy" for everything—even free apps. This is also the age where they might accidentally click ads in "free" games that lead to inappropriate content or more spending traps.
Ages 9-12: The "Digital Allowance" Phase
This is a great time to introduce the concept of a budget. Instead of linking your credit card to their account, consider using App Store Gift Cards or adding a set amount of "Apple Funds" to their account. When the $20 is gone, it's gone. This teaches them to prioritize whether they really want that Minecraft marketplace skin or if they should save up.
Ages 13+: Trust but Verify
By now, they might have their own jobs or allowance. You might decide to turn off "Ask to Buy," but keep notifications on so you can see what’s being downloaded. This is less about the money and more about knowing what apps (like TikTok or Snapchat) are making their way onto the device.
If an app is free, you (or your child's data/attention) are the product. Many "free" games for kids are designed to be intentionally frustrating or slow unless you pay to speed things up.
If your kid is obsessed with a game like Pokemon GO or Roblox, sit down and play it with them for 20 minutes. See how often the game asks for money. If it's every two minutes, that's not a game; it's a digital slot machine.
Ask our chatbot for recommendations for "One-Time Purchase" games without ads
Instead of just saying "No, I'm not buying that," try these conversation starters:
- "The creators of this game want us to spend money to make the game easier. Do you think it’s more fun to earn the reward or just buy it?"
- "That 'Skibidi' skin costs 800 Robux, which is about $10. That’s the same price as two scoops of ice cream. Which one would you rather have this weekend?"
- "I noticed this app has a weekly subscription. That means they take money from my bank account every single week even if you don't play it. That doesn't seem like a good deal, does it?"
Setting up these controls isn't about being "strict"—it's about being intentional. It prevents the "I didn't mean to!" arguments and keeps your finances safe from the predatory design of the modern app economy.
Take five minutes tonight, grab your kid's device, and make sure that "Ask to Buy" is toggled on. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
- Audit your subscriptions: Go to your phone settings and see what you're currently paying for. You'd be surprised.
- Set a "Digital Spending" rule: Decide as a family if in-game purchases are for birthdays only, or if they can be earned through chores.
- Explore better games: If your kid is constantly begging for money in a "free" game, consider buying a high-quality paid game like Stardew Valley or Monument Valley where there are zero hidden costs.
Check out our list of the best "Buy Once, Play Forever" games
Ask our chatbot about the safety of Roblox for 7-year-olds