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How To Prevent Your Kid From Making Accidental Purchases On Your Phone

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Parenting

How To Prevent Your Kid From Making Accidental Purchases On Your Phone

One mum got a rude shock when she received a $1,500 phone bill out of the blue

August 20, 2020
Prevent Kid Making Accidental Purchases Phone

Credit: @nadia.saleh_/Twenty20

You may have heard horror stories of parents finding out that their child had unknowingly used their phone or online shopping account to make purchases, racking up a hefty bill along the way. In July, it was reported in Chinese newspaper Lianhe Wanbao that one woman in Singapore was shocked to find that her five-year-old daughter had racked up a $1,500 phone bill within a month.

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The single mum in her 30s thought she had ‘child-proofed’ her iPad to prevent such online spending, the paper reported. With the device connected to the Wifi network at home, as well as the absence of a SIM card, the expenses puzzled the woman.

She initially thought that there was a mix-up in her StarHub bill, but it turned out that her daughter had made over 200 in-app purchases on an online game platform called Roblox.

Roblox, which allows users to build virtual houses, adopt digital pets and interact with other players, is popular with children under 16. Records also showed that amounts between $5 and $8 were spent on each transaction.

“My daughter did not understand what was going on. The purchases just went through with a few taps on the iPad. She wasn’t aware that she had spent so much money,” the woman told the Chinese daily.

Her daughter had unwittingly splurged on various in-game items using the game’s virtual currency.

Referencing how verification prompts had popped up whenever she topped up the value of her domestic helper’s mobile phone line, the mum questioned why she didn’t encounter the same safety process when her child tapped on purchases in the game.

“I reached out to the customer service staff from both StarHub and Apple. But I still don’t understand where the problem lies.”

She also hopes that her experience will remind other parents to be more vigilant about their children’s online shopping habits. The telco said it has contacted the woman to offer assistance.

Here are 4 things you should do to prevent your child from using your phone to do online shopping:

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/family/parenting/prevent-kid-making-accidental-purchases-phone/
How To Prevent Your Kid From Making Accidental Purchases On Your Phone
1. Secure your phone with a passcode
image

Who would’ve thought a passcode was more secure than a thumbprint scan? Turns out it’s true when you have pesky kids running about.

You can use a number PIN, pattern or password lock. Be wise about choosing your code too, and don’t make it something easy to guess, like your child’s birthday.

Yura Fresh/Unsplash
2. Install a child-safe app on your device
image

There are plenty of apps out there that allow you to protect your privacy when your kids are using your phone or tablet.

Try Curbi, which is free and works for iOS and Android devices and helps you lock apps, put a time limit on screen time and block inappropriate sites.

For Android devices, there’s AppLock, which lets you lock SMS, contacts, Gmail, Facebook and other apps, including your Google Play app store.

@Wutzkoh/Twenty20
3. Don't automatically store credit card info in your browser or shopping app
image

It’s tempting, we know, because who really likes to take out their credit card every time they make an online purchase?

But not using the auto-fill feature for credit card info keeps your details safe from your kid, and outsiders too, if your device is lost or stolen.

Best to play it safe.

Anastasiia Ostapovych/Unsplash
4. Be vigilant
image

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your kid is devious enough to get around your security controls.

That’s ok; just be aware of your credit card statements and keep track of your purchases.

If you notice any irregularities, check immediately if your credit card has been compromised, or your little one has been on a shopping binge.

Text: Lam Min Lee/AsiaOne, Young Parents

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@gballgiggs/Twenty20
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