Many apps cost nothing. Only at a second glance can you see that you have to pay to be able to use such apps properly and with fun. For children and young people, such in-app purchases are a particular issue with game apps.

What are in-app purchases?

It’s not just when you install an app that costs can be incurred. Many apps even cost no money at first glance. But to use certain functions, you have to pay extra. This happens via so-called in-app purchases.

A few clicks can result in costs that are discovered on the next cell phone or credit card bill at the latest. Most of the time, these are rather small amounts of a few euros. But you don’t get an overview of how much you have spent on which functions and so it becomes more and more unnoticed. Another trick of the providers: At first glance, no real money has to be paid for the additional features, but instead there is a virtual currency. However, this must in turn be purchased using “real money” with a credit card or PayPal account.

Often, even within the free apps, there is advertising for a so-called “premium version”. This is the paid version of the same app, with more features. The free app acts as a kind of “test version” here. If this is liked, it is more likely to spend a few euros on the paid app.

In-app purchases as a danger for children and young people?

Kids and teens especially come into contact with in-app purchases in game apps such as Coin Master. Downloading the game is free of charge in order to attract as many users as possible. Children are particularly susceptible to in-app purchases because they want to progress quickly in the game and may compare notes with friends. Or they find it nice to customize their character, even though it’s not important to the gameplay. To do so, they have to purchase coins, game character equipment (also in the form of so-called lootboxes) or the unlocking of further levels for real money, for example.

The virtual currency appears very abstract to children and young people and has little to do with the pocket money (in coins and bills) they regularly receive from their parents. That’s why they don’t necessarily realize that they’re actually spending money – on virtual things that don’t bring them much.

Checklist: What should you pay attention to?

1. In the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store, each app indicates whether it contains in-app purchases. Pay attention to this and point it out to your child as well. Always read reviews before downloading an app. Because here you will already find references to possible experiences with cost traps within the game.
2. Agree with your child to let them show you what they want to buy beforehand. Pay attention to whether it is a one-time purchase or a subscription. Teach your child to read all the information about the app carefully and not just click “next” quickly.
3. With certain settings on the cell phone, in-app purchases can be restricted. On the iPhone or iPad, this is possible via the Screen Time function. For Android devices, go to “Settings” in the Play Store and enable the “Require authentication for purchases” feature. You can also use Family Media Library on Android devices or Family Sharing on Apple devices to basically have to confirm your child’s purchases beforehand and to share purchases within the family.
4. To keep track of your child’s expenses, you can keep a list. This way you can see together how much pocket money is spent on apps per month. Another option is not to enter payment data in the app stores in the first place. This way, your child will only have access to free apps. This is a good precaution, especially for younger children, but they may contain advertising.
   It is important that you take your child’s needs seriously. If your child gets pocket money, he or she gets a say in what it should be spent on. Consult together to determine what costs make sense and how best to avoid excessive costs. Another way to control costs is to buy a credit card (e.g., as a gift) for the app store. However, be sure to make sure in the settings that the credit card is not used up further once the balance is empty.
5. A slightly more radical, but effective way is the third-party provider block. Any in-app purchases can be blocked via this. To have this set up, contact your wireless carrier with an informal email or a simple phone call.

High costs have already been incurred. What now?

Sometimes purchases that have already been made can be recalled within a period of time, e.g. in the iTunes account (Apple) under the “Purchase overview”. It may also be worthwhile to contact the manufacturers should, for example, the purchase of a subscription not have been well marked. You can find out what else you can do if you or your child have accidentally fallen into a subscription trap at mobilsicher.

The online strategy game Clash of Clans has been around for a few years. The further development Clash Royale (since 2016) is also very popular with children and young people. The reason for this is certainly that the app costs nothing and that you can play against each other.

In brief

• popular game apps from Supercell
• so-called real-time multiplayer strategy game
• free for Android and iOS, but permanent internet connection required
• contains in-app purchases
• USK from 6 years, minimum age of the provider: 13 years

What is Clash of Clans? What is Clash Royale?

Clash of Clans and Clash Royale are so-called real-time multiplayer strategy games. So your child can play simultaneously with other players mobile and online via the app.

At Clash of Clans players work in clans. These are groups in which individual players team up and fight together against other groups. Clans must build their own village, train troops, and eventually compete with other clans to capture “resources.” These are, for example, gold, jewels and elixir. Through these resources, one’s clan can be better equipped and protected. These resources can also be purchased.

Clash Royale is the further development of Clash of Clans and has been on the market since 2016. Here the principles of strategy and trading cards are combined. Before each round, eight cards are selected from a deck, which must be used skillfully in the game. The cards include spells against the opponent. The winner is the player who has destroyed the most enemy main towers with his own units. One round lasts only three minutes. For winning rounds you get gold and chests, which gives you jewels or new cards.

What fascinates children and teenagers about Clash Royale?

The game principle is simple and already at the beginning you have good chances to win against “the computer”. These wins and rewards create incentives and motivate to keep playing. Clash Royale also provides a balanced mix of luck and tactics.

Even without using real money, you can have a lot of fun with Clash Royale and its predecessor Clash of Clans. Of course, the direct comparison when playing with “real” opponents is also exciting.

Especially among boys, the games are very popular.

What is problematic about the offer?

Even though the individual game rounds are short, jewels and chests always create incentives to keep playing. Since it’s a real-time game, the game continues to evolve even when you’re not playing. This can also make some kids and teens want to play on and on.

Especially impatient players can progress faster in the game through in-app purchases. As a parent, you should keep this in mind or deactivate in-app purchases in the smartphone settings.

The ability to chat with fellow players within the game leads to risks such as cyberbullying and cybergrooming.

Combat elements are an important part of the games, for example, destroying other clans and their towers. However, due to the comic-like presentation, this is not very realistic for children.

Stiftung Warentest tested the two games in 2019 to see how suitable they are for children and rated them “unacceptable”. Content not suitable for children has been found: Right-wing clan pseudonyms and links to porn sites. However, violations can also not be reported directly. The games also score poorly in terms of in-app purchases and data protection. However, there are no advertisements in the game.

What does the provider think?

The provider provides a general parent guide in German for its game apps. This explains how to make settings to disable in-app purchases, for example. There are also explanations about chat security and privacy. However, especially when it comes to chat security, there is no blocking function. The provider only responds to offensive content.

What should parents pay attention to?

Let your child explain the game and the fascination with it to you. Talk to him about what violence means in the game and in reality.

Agree on rules about playing time and duration. Use settings options to prevent unintentional in-app purchases and to limit the app’s usage time if necessary. However, remember to talk about it with your child beforehand. Also, consider disabling push notifications for the game so that your child is not constantly informed about what is happening in the game while they are not playing.

The chat function in the game is always public, i.e. all players can chat with each other. Therefore, you should definitely agree on conversation rules for the chat in advance. Above all, clarify that no private data such as clear names, cell phone numbers, etc. should be given out via the chat.
Ask about play experiences and be there if your child ever has an unpleasant experience.

You can find more information about the games here: http://www.klicksafe.de/service/aktuelles/news/detail/was-eltern-ueber-beliebte-online-strategiespiele-wie-clash-royale-wissen-sollten/

A Lootbox is a special type of in-app purchase. The term Lootbox can be translated as “loot box”. Such a box can be acquired in many console games or game apps. It resembles a grab bag because its contents are not known before purchase. Often, these paid in-game purchases are items that are not relevant to the game, such as a new outfit for the character or additional equipment. A player can purchase a Lootbox for real money or in-game currency. Particularly valuable items are rare and the percentage of rivets is high. That’s why a Lootbox is like a game of chance and has been under critical scrutiny for some time. It has even been considered to ban them, as gambling should not be accessible to children and teenagers under the age of 18. The Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) does not consider Lootboxes to be gambling, but advises parents to take a closer look.

To make sure your child doesn’t fall into the cost trap, you should discuss with him or her what Lootboxes are and how game makers plan to make money with them. It’s best to try out a new game together with your child, as it’s sometimes impossible to tell beforehand if lootboxes play a role.

If your child absolutely wants to buy a Lootbox, you can agree on rules for this. Just as with the allocation of media use time, you can, in consultation with your child, convert some of the pocket money into virtual play money that can be used for such purposes. In this way, your child learns bit by bit how to handle his or her pocket money responsibly.