Ater school, Joey Ferri often plays video games on his iPad. Two of his favorites are Brawl Stars and Stumble Guys. Joey used to love getting skins, or digital outfits, for his characters.   

“Having the skins made the games more fun,” he says. 

Joey bought the skins with gems. That’s the virtual money used in both apps. But he didn’t realize that these gems cost real money. In November 2023, Joey’s parents got a call from their credit card company. They were charged $3,800! Joey didn’t realize he had spent that much money. 

“I felt sad and mad at myself,” says Joey, a fifth-grader from Yorktown Heights, New York. 

Unfortunately, Joey’s story is not uncommon. Experts say it’s important to learn how in-app purchases work. That way you can avoid getting tricked into spending real money. 

After school, Joey Ferri often plays games on his iPad. His favorites include Brawl Stars and Stumble Guys. Joey used to love getting skins for his characters. Those are digital outfits.   

“Having the skins made the games more fun,” he says. 

Joey bought the skins with gems. Gems are the virtual money used in both apps. But he didn’t realize that they cost real money. In November 2023, Joey’s parents got a call. It was from their credit card company. They were charged $3,800! Joey didn’t know he had spent that much money. 

“I felt sad and mad at myself,” says Joey. He is a fifth-grader from Yorktown Heights, New York. 

Joey’s story is not uncommon. Experts say it’s important to learn how in-app purchases work. That way you can avoid getting tricked into spending real money.

One problem is that gamers can easily get confused about the real cost of items in apps. Many games use virtual money. In Roblox, there’s Robux. In Fortnite, players buy V-bucks. It can be easy to click a button without knowing what it really means. 

Some mobile games add to the problem by being sneaky on purpose. In December 2022, the U.S. government announced that Fortnite had deceived players into buying things they didn’t mean to. For example, players could be charged while trying to wake the game from sleep mode. Epic Games, the company that makes Fortnite, agreed to pay out $245 million for tricking players. People began receiving refunds last December.

One problem? Gamers can get confused about the real cost of items in apps. Many games use virtual money. In Roblox, there’s Robux. In Fortnite, players buy V-bucks. It can be easy to click a button without knowing what doing it really means. 

Some games are even sneaky on purpose. In December 2022, the U.S. government made a statement. It said that Fortnite had deceived players into buying things they didn’t mean to. For example, some players were charged while trying to wake the game from sleep mode. The company that makes Fortnite agreed to pay $245 million for tricking players. People began receiving refunds last December.

So how can you make sure you don’t rack up big charges in gaming apps? Experts suggest talking to your parents. They can set limits on in-app purchases or not allow them at all. Parents can also turn on settings on a phone or tablet that will notify them when you make a purchase. (For more tips, see “Don’t Get Tricked.”)

As for Joey, his parents complained to the app makers and Apple. After several months, the family ended up getting the full $3,800 back. 

Joey still plays games on his iPad. But he stays away from the virtual shops. He says other kids should be careful about in-app purchases too. 

“Even if you think you’re just spending imaginary money, ask your parents,” he says. “It could be real money.” 

How can you avoid huge charges in gaming apps? Experts suggest talking to your parents. They can set limits on in-app purchases or not allow them at all. Parents can also turn on device settings that will notify them when you make a purchase. (For more tips, see “Don’t Get Tricked.”)

As for Joey, his parents complained to the app makers and Apple. Months later, the family ended up getting the full $3,800 back. 

Joey still plays games on his iPad. But he stays away from the virtual shops. He says other kids should be careful about in-app purchases too. 

“Even if you think you’re just spending imaginary money, ask your parents,” he says. “It could be real money.”