I was speaking to my wife this week (yes it does happen) when she said “I found this website earlier today that explains how easy it is for kids to run up huge bills on your mobile phone by downloading apps, you might want to take a look”
So I did and what I found was shocking!! Read the full article at your leisure.
Basically a 6 year old kid spent £3200 on playing an iphone game where you purchase food for farm animals in order to feed them. Scary hey!!
It is not only iphones that have this problem though. If you read on the article states that Blackberry keeps you logged in for 20 minutes after purchasing an app, while Google will take your money without you entering a pin when you have set up your details on Google Play. Sounds like a childs playground to me!!
So how do you stop kids racking up huge bills. Hopefully this advise will help:
- Actually use passwords!!!!!
The amount of people who don’t use passwords is shocking. If there is no password you are giving your children free roam over you device which is not a good idea.
- Use passwords your kids can’t guess
Kids are very smart so don’t use passwords that they can guess and don’t let them watch when you enter the password.
- Ask your mobile provider to cap your bills
You can cap your bills at any amount above your normal bill so you don’t get any nasty surprises.
- Supervise your children
I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to this. My 2 year old daughter uses my Playbook most days and a lot of the time she does without me watching her.
- Restrict App purchases
Apple
Go to settings – General – Restrictions and then decide if you want your password entered every time you make a purchase or not.
Android
Set up a PIN with your Google Play account. This is not the default on most Android phones.
Blackberry
At the moment there is no way to disable the 20 minute login after app purchases. Come on Blackberry get this sorted!!
Windows
Windows has a great feature called ‘Kids Corner’ which allows your child their own phone area on the handset. It comes with restricted access to your device and also certain apps/websites/services etc. This is not set up by default.
Remember you may think you are pretty smart but believe me kids are smarter so lock down your phone!!
About the Author
Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.
For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more.
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