A video game character rides a flying dragon

In ROBLOX, you can buy 400 Robux for about 5 dollars in real money. That might sound like a bargain, but it can add up!

Courtesy of Roblox

Don't Be Fooled

Just because an app is free doesn’t mean it can’t cost you a lot of cash.

October 5, 2020

As You Read: Have you ever been tricked by a sneaky app?

Courtesy of family

Logan Ireland

Logan Ireland used to spend hours on the Roblox app. The fifth-grader from North Carolina used the app’s virtual money, called Robux, to buy clothes and furniture for her avatar.

But last fall, Logan got a huge shock. Her mom was looking at a bank statement. It showed that each time Logan bought Robux, the app had taken real money out of her family’s account. Without realizing it, Logan had spent more than $1,600 in three months!

“I was surprised,” Logan says. “I felt really guilty.”

Logan’s situation isn’t unusual. Experts say it’s important for kids to know how to avoid being tricked by apps.

Logan Ireland used to spend hours on the Roblox app. The fifth-grader from North Carolina used the app’s virtual money, called Robux, to buy clothes and furniture for her avatar.

“I was surprised,” Logan says. “I felt really guilty.”

Logan’s situation isn’t unusual. Experts say it’s important for kids to know how to avoid being tricked by apps.

Making Money

Many popular gaming apps, including Roblox, are free to download and play. But for many players, the games actually come with big costs.

That’s because many apps allow users to make in-app purchases. Those are things you can buy to enhance the gaming experience, such as new levels to explore. In some apps, users simply click a button. The cost gets charged to their credit card or taken directly out of their bank account.

In-app purchases have enabled many “free” games to make huge amounts of money. For example, since Roblox was released in 2006, players have spent more than $1.5 billion in the app.

Many popular gaming apps, including Roblox, are free to download and play. But for many players, the games actually come with big costs.

In-app purchases have enabled many “free” games to make huge amounts of money. For example, since Roblox was released in 2006, players have spent more than $1.5 billion in the app.

Sneaky Apps

Experts say that in some cases, kids can make in-app purchases without a parent’s knowledge. And some apps make it hard for kids to tell when they are being charged. Like Roblox, other games have virtual money that costs real money to buy.

Christine Elgersma is a technology expert with the group Common Sense Media. She says it’s easy for kids to get confused.

“Some app makers know that this is a problem and know that kids will make purchases,” she says. “They take advantage of it.”

Christine Elgersma is a technology expert with the group Common Sense Media. She says it’s easy for kids to get confused.

“Some app makers know that this is a problem and know that kids will make purchases,” she says. “They take advantage of it.”

Finding Solutions

Illustration by Tommaso Tempestini

Elgersma suggests that kids and parents choose apps together. They should also use settings on each device that keep kids from spending money by mistake. Logan says she’s learned a lot from her experience. After her mom spotted the charges, the family filed a complaint with the government. They got back about $1,000.

Logan is doing extra chores to repay the rest of the money. These days, she avoids in-app purchases—and she tells other kids to do the same.

“If you get confused about whether there’s a charge, ask your parents,” she says. “Be careful.”

Elgersma suggests that kids and parents choose apps together. They should also use settings on each device that keep kids from spending money by mistake.

Logan says she’s learned a lot from her experience. After her mom spotted the charges, the family filed a complaint with the government. They got back about $1,000.

Logan is doing extra chores to repay the rest of the money. These days, she avoids in-app purchases—and she tells other kids to do the same.

“If you get confused about whether there’s a charge, ask your parents,” she says. “Be careful.”

Be App Smart!

Use these tips to make sure you don’t get outsmarted by an app.

Illustration by Tommaso

Tempestini

Have a parent or other trusted adult check the settings on your device.
Make sure it asks for a password every time you make an in-app purchase. An adult should be in charge of the password.

Look at the description.
Before you download an app, check to see if the game has in-app purchases. There are many fun apps that are completely free.

Watch out for dollar signs while you are using an app!
These symbols are often warnings that you are about to make a purchase with real money.