Many children use their smartphones to play games. With some game apps, however, certain functions can only be unlocked for a fee. That can become a cost trap.
Parents should consider which games their offspring are playing on their smartphones – if only because of the costs. Because with many supposedly free game apps you have to pay to unlock additional functions. Young users are not always aware that they are actually spending money, according to the state and federal police for crime prevention. So that the children don’t just go shopping, parents can prevent such in-app purchases on the device. She explains how it works Stiftung Warentest.
Prevent in-app purchases on Android
On Android devices, users can prevent unwanted in-app purchases. To do this, open the Play Store and tap on the letter next to the search bar. There you will find the menu item “Settings”. Then tap on “Authentication” and toggle the switch next to “Biometric Authentication”. Also make sure that the option “For all Google Play purchases made on this device” is active so that the authentication applies to all purchases.
Block in-app purchases on iOS
With iPhone or iPad, users must first activate “Screen Time” in the settings. Then click on “Screen Time”, “Restrictions” and “iTunes & App Store Purchases” in order. There they can now click on “In-App Purchases” and set “Don’t Allow” to prevent future in-app purchases on the Apple devices.
To prevent a child from deactivating the set screen time restriction themselves, a code under “Use screen time code” is required. If Screen Time is set up on the child’s device, follow the instructions of the operating system up to the “Parental Code” menu item. Parents enter a code here and confirm it. Under “Restrictions” the code is entered and “Content & Privacy” activated.
By the way: Parents should also pay attention to the age rating of the games. On the website www.usk.de You can check the information from a voluntary institution in the games industry called Entertainment Software Self-Regulation.