Better Internet for Kids

Why can in-app purchases be problematic?  

Even if many games on a mobile phone or tablet initially cost nothing, at a certain point progress in the game is often only possible by paying for additional services or by spending a lot of time. This increases the pressure on children to spend money on in-app purchases that promise better or faster game success.

Such in-app purchases can be made not only for real money, but often also with so-called in-game currencies. Here, real money is used to buy a virtual currency known as "coins", "jewels", etc. The virtual currency is then used to buy additional lives, playing strength or certain outfits ("skins") for the game characters. This trick by the providers means that children often lose touch with the actual monetary value of the purchase. 

The Austrian SIC has a quiz on the topic of in-game purchases, which is a good way to start a conversation with children and young people on the topic. 

Tips for parents and caregivers

• Find out about the game your child wants to play. Search the internet for reviews and test the game yourself before you play it with your child. Also, check whether the game can be played over a longer period of time without (or with only a few) in-app purchases. Even if this is the case, bear in mind that the appeal of in-app purchases is great and your child will probably still express a desire for them. 
• Use the parental control settings on your mobile phone. If your child has an Android device, it is best to use the free Google Family Link app; if they have an iPhone, use Screen Time. Restrict the ability to make in-app purchases (on an Android, on an iPhone) and deactivate value-added and content services with your mobile phone provider. 
• Establish rules with your child. Discuss with your child the conditions under which they are allowed to spend money on in-app purchases (e.g. only part of their pocket money, only on special occasions or for certain school achievements). Prepaid cards (Google Play Card, Apple Gift Card, Paysafecard, etc.) can help to limit spending, as no further purchases are possible once the credit has been used up. 
• Be particularly careful if you allow your child to play with your mobile phone. To be on the safe side, set your mobile phone so that a password must be entered for each payment. This will prevent your child from spending money accidentally or secretly. For Android mobile phones, activate authentication for purchases. For iPhones, set up a screen time code for this purpose.
• Talk to your child about the potential risks of mobile phone games. Explain to them that game manufacturers use various tricks to try to persuade players to make purchases and show them how the fantasy currencies in the game work. Make it clear to them that a purchase made with "coins", for example, also incurs real costs. Think together about what else you can buy for a certain amount of money (e.g. 20 euros/2000 gold coins). Make the connection to the child's pocket money ("This costs as much as four weeks' pocket money").
• Show an interest in the games that excite your child. Have them show you game sequences or try out the game yourself. This creates a good basis for dialogue, even if there are problems.
• If your child has fallen into a cost trap, try to get your money back. To do this, contact the relevant app store (Google Play or App Store). If you are unsuccessful in this way, seek help from a recognised consumer protection organisation or consumer arbitration board (in Austria, for example, the Internet Ombudsstelle). 

If your child is young, you can play detective and go on the hunt for cost traps together. Not being tricked can be a great joint goal! 

Good to know

• Free-to-play and pay-to-win: Many games can be downloaded and installed free of charge. In the beginning, the game is fun without incurring in any costs - up to the point where you can only progress if you make purchases, although this rarely remains a one-off payment. Games like this make it difficult for children to keep an eye on their spending and not get ripped off.
• Loot boxes or loot crates: Such boxes are comparable to surprise eggs: only after opening them do you find out which virtual items are inside and whether they will actually help you progress in the game. Children's favourite streamers usually only show the best loot boxes in their videos, giving the impression that you are constantly receiving great prizes, but in reality, many loot boxes contain nothing of value at all. Streamers often work together with game providers and therefore receive more valuable items than normal players, which can also mislead children.
• Creator codes from influencers: If players enter the creator codes of their favourite influencers when making in-app purchases, the influencers receive a share of the revenue. Influencers and content creators sometimes earn a lot of money as a result and try to get their fans to make purchases with creator codes. They may make purchasable items, skins, loot boxes, game cards etc. appear particularly attractive in order to persuade children to buy them. 
• Dark patterns that encourage you to play: Some games vehemently try to bring their players back when they have lost interest in the game. For example, players constantly receive messages when they are not playing or are pressurised to return to the game quickly with supposedly limited events and offers. Some game developers take a very manipulative approach here, because the longer a game is played, the more likely it is that purchases will be made. 
• Purchases with in-game currency: To buy an item in most games, you first have to purchase the in-game currency with real money. Children and young people could quickly forget that they are spending real money because of this additional step. They are tempted to spend all their pocket money on an item that they would not buy for real money. It is therefore important to always consider how much real money a supposed offer would cost - even if the item, character or skin seems like a bargain at first glance. 

In Austria, you can find recommended digital games at www.bupp.at. The recommended games may contain in-app purchases, but games with problematic financing models are excluded from the recommendations. 

Find out more about the work of the Austrian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.