iPad apps and children

As my two little youngsters are using iPads at school, I decided to get them one to use at home.

There was a few apps that I purchased for them that the school uses, and these were only a few quid. Allowed them to download other FREE apps to play on too. Password was set for any app download, so they couldn't do it willy nilly. (or so I thought)

Any ways I checked my bank today and it seemed I was a bit short!! Having looked further into it, the kids have had over 300 quid out of me on bloody apps. Looking at each individual statement, these are in app purchases, something I didn't know any thing about. These were big amounts too 34 quids here and there.

I looked further into the settings and it seems there is an option to turn this off, under the restrictions. Also if you put your password in to download an app (free or paid) it looks like the default setting is to keep the password session active for 15 mins. I've changed this to immediately now.

I've messages iTunes to see if there is any thing that I can do to claim some money bk will keep you posted.

I fear that despite adopting the moral low of allowing the placing in-app purchases in kids games they will take the moral high ground and say your purchases have to be honoured.

Watch out for Smurfs' Village as smurfberries will run up the bill very quickly!

I opened the kids itunes accounts using prepaid cards and have a stock ready to topup when their balance is running low.

I fear that despite adopting the moral low of allowing the placing in-app purchases in kids games they will take the moral high ground and say your purchases have to be honoured.

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I think they will too, but its worth a try. i honestly didnt know free apps allowed this kind of feature. Guess ive learned the hard way or should i say expensive way.

My kids used to ask to use my iTunes account to be able to update their apps or get new free ones but I wasn't happy with this arrangement. I researched it and found out that you have to enter a credit card to have an iTunes account (which my kids are too young to have) but I found a way around this, enter any ole numbers and an address in accounts you set up for them to use for free apps, the card information is required but not validated.

Now my kids can do the free stuff with no danger of me getting billed or having to give them my passwords.

Admin

suggys said:

I looked further into the settings and it seems there is an option to turn this off, under the restrictions. Also if you put your password in to download an app (free or paid) it looks like the default setting is to keep the password session active for 15 mins. I've changed this to immediately now.

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I don't believe my kids have managed to spend any money through my ipad, but they've come very close.

Thanks for the tips on the settings! Needless to say, I've changed them now.

Related article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17728039

cvs said:

Watch out for Smurfs' Village as smurfberries will run up the bill very quickly!

I opened the kids itunes accounts using prepaid cards and have a stock ready to topup when their balance is running low.

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Indeed my little sister decided she would purchase the £50.00 package.

Apple was good and refunded the full amount.

Just got an email back from them

Thank you for contacting iTunes. My name is XXXXXX, an iTunes Store Advisor. I hope you're doing very well. I am sorry to hear the incident of accidental purchase made by your kids. I will do my very best to help you with this.

I understand that the purchase of all the orders you gave was unintentional. In five to seven business days, a credit of 256.99 GBP, plus any applicable taxes, should be posted to the credit card that appears on the receipt for that purchase.

Please note that this is a one-time exception, as the iTunes Store Terms and Conditions state that all sales are final

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Not quite the full amount (I dont think this amount reflects a few app purchases, but mainly the in app purchases.) Cant grumble, especially as i wasnt expecting it.

suggys said:

Just got an email back from them



Not quite the full amount (I dont think this amount reflects a few app purchases, but mainly the in app purchases.) Cant grumble, especially as i wasnt expecting it.

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Nice, I think you got a good outcome.

suggys said:

Just got an email back from them



Not quite the full amount (I dont think this amount reflects a few app purchases, but mainly the in app purchases.) Cant grumble, especially as i wasnt expecting it.

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Nice result. Just curious, do they now disable what had been downloaded?

lucky you got this.

Now go into settings and either turn off in game purchasing or set the timeout to immediate! ( I think it's set to on with a 15 minute timeout by default)

Just curious, do they now disable what had been downloaded?

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Ive checked two apps that was purchased that ive been refunded for. These still work at the moment (Not sure if this will change in time)

Ive just recd an email (itunes invoice, for an in app purchase that was made on the 9th, so its some time behind.) Ive emailed the guy i was speaking to back to check this one out too as well as any others that are pending.

All security is on now, different passwords, immediate session expiry, turned off in app purchases and removed card.

These game companies must love kids cleaning their parents out lol.