A public service guide to stop kids from purchases for any adult who handed their child an iPad and hoped for the best.
You gave your child a tablet to watch cartoons and play educational games. Next thing you know, you’re on the phone with customer support, trying to explain that a five-year-old racked up hundreds of dollars on something called “Smurfberries.” Welcome to the digital age of parenting – where colorful icons can quietly drain your bank account faster than you can say “unauthorized purchase.”
While it’s tempting to blame the app, the device, or even the child (they are suspiciously good at finding the “buy now” button), the real fix is about prevention, not punishment. Today’s games are designed to be engaging and, yes, profitable. Many are built on freemium models – free to play, but full of in-app purchases cleverly disguised as harmless fun. And whether it’s Smurfs’ Village, Roblox, or Fortnite, if you’re not proactive, your digital wallet is open for business.
Table of contents
Step 1: Lock It Down Like Fort Knox to Stop Kids
First, let’s talk parental controls. Yes, they’re buried under layers of menus and settings, but they exist – and they work. Whether you’re on iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, or even the family toaster (probably), you can enable password protection for purchases, restrict spending limits, or block transactions altogether.
Use fingerprint or face ID for purchases, so your child can’t “accidentally” buy a crate of virtual diamonds while you’re in the other room. Set up separate user profiles for children, and for the love of your checking account, don’t give them access to your primary app store account.
Step 2: Teach Them That Pixels Cost Money
This might sound obvious, but a lot of kids don’t actually realize in-game items cost real-world money. To them, tapping a shiny icon is no different than pressing play on a video. Talk to them about what in-app purchases are, how they work, and why buying a digital unicorn for $19.99 isn’t always the best financial decision – even if it sparkles.
Explain the concept of digital currency and help them understand that, just like candy or toys, these things have value. Use terms they understand. For example: “That bundle of coins costs the same as three Happy Meals.” Suddenly, they’ll see that shiny sword in a new light.
Step 3: Use Prepaid Options (Your Wallet Will Thank You)
One of the best strategies is swapping your credit card for prepaid gift cards. These create a spending ceiling and take impulse buying out of the equation. Prepaid cards like Roblox gift card codes give kids the thrill of spending in-game without the risk of over-drafting your account. It also gives them a sense of budget management. They get $20 worth of credits? That’s what they’ve got – no refill unless you say so.
This method works across many popular games and platforms, giving you financial control while letting kids feel independent. It’s also a great way to reward them responsibly – whether they finished their homework or just didn’t spend $300 on blueberries.
Step 4: Review, Restrict, Repeat
Finally, make reviewing app purchases and settings a regular thing – like flossing, but for your finances. Check your transaction history. See what games are installed. Review permissions. And most importantly, talk to your kid. Keep the conversation open about what they’re playing and why.
Gaming isn’t going anywhere, and neither are in-app purchases. But with the right boundaries in place, they don’t have to be a financial hazard.
Stop Kids from Bleeding your Wallet, Keep the Fun
You don’t need to cancel all devices or turn your living room into a tech-free monastery. You just need to build a little structure into the digital chaos. With smart tools, clear expectations, and a little communication, you can let your kid enjoy games without fear of bankrupting the household.
And if they want more in-game content? Digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital – including Roblox gift card codes – are a great way to stop kids from overspending while still letting them explore their virtual worlds, without you needing to file a chargeback for forest berries ever again.
