FARK.com: (7058878) Kids downloading too many paid apps from Apple? There's a lawsuit for that. Tag is for parents who apparently don't know what parenting is

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		Kids downloading too many paid apps from Apple? There's a lawsuit for that. Tag is for parents who apparently don't know what parenting is (dailymail.co.uk)		31
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1284 clicks; posted to Business » on 19 Apr 2012 at 11:03 AM | Favorite | share:

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brainlordmesomorph		2012-04-19 11:05:49 AM

Do they not know what an iPhone is?

GoodyearPimp		2012-04-19 11:06:32 AM

Is it a requirement to have your credit card number stored on the device (or through the app store)? In other words, is it not possible to prevent your spoiled kid from just clicking ok and racking up a huge bill? This would seem like a huge oversight unless of course it's exactly what the manufacturer wanted.

curlyfries		2012-04-19 11:09:01 AM

Settings -> General -> Restrictions -> In-App purchases OFF

At least it's not a "my snowflake saw PORN on his phone!" lawsuit.

Whatthefark		2012-04-19 11:12:19 AM

ihatedumbpeople		2012-04-19 11:12:56 AM

GoodyearPimp: Is it a requirement to have your credit card number stored on the device (or through the app store)? In other words, is it not possible to prevent your spoiled kid from just clicking ok and racking up a huge bill? This would seem like a huge oversight unless of course it's exactly what the manufacturer wanted.

a lot of app producers make it pretty damn easy to buy upgrades, different add-ons, etc. My 2 year old LOVES this spelling game we have on our ipad, I just have to turn off wifi when he's playing it or he inevitably ends up at the app store and it's looking for a password.

/envision 'start' in small plain text in the bottom corner of the app, "UPGRADE NOW" in large red letters with blinking light on it in the middle of the screen.
//not saying I'd sue over it though, that's silly.

ihatedumbpeople		2012-04-19 11:15:38 AM

curlyfries: Settings -> General -> Restrictions -> In-App purchases OFF

At least it's not a "my snowflake saw PORN on his phone!" lawsuit.

yeah, I used to use that but I wish they'd enable an app specific setting, not just a broad option (that i've noticed). I just turn off wifi (or go to airplane mode on the phone) when the kiddos play on 'em. just quicker.

Cybernetic		2012-04-19 11:18:24 AM

Are parents give their kids their iTunes passwords? My kids have never made an in-app purchase that I didn't know about and approve, because I'm the only one who knows my password.

Seriously, how hard is that? And why is Apple to blame for their stupidity?

Theaetetus		2012-04-19 11:50:51 AM

ihatedumbpeople: My 2 year old LOVES this spelling game we have on our ipad, I just have to turn off wifi when he's playing it or he inevitably ends up at the app store and it's looking for a password.

I'd say that that should be the nail in the coffin of this lawsuit.

The one caveat is that it keeps you logged in for a few minutes... So if you enter your password to let your kid purchase one add-on, the kid can then purchase several dozen more. That could be a legitimate issue.

stevetherobot		2012-04-19 12:03:23 PM

I want to monitor what apps my kids purchase, so I don't let them know the iTunes password. They have to come to me or my wife if they want something or to make an in-app purchase.

Lord Dimwit		2012-04-19 12:07:38 PM

Not giving your kid an iPhone is also, you know, an option.

Zeno-25		2012-04-19 12:09:20 PM

This just in: parents fail to teach their children the value of money, allow full access to a smartphone, predictable results ensue

tgregory		2012-04-19 12:11:12 PM

Who bought them the phone? Who put the credit card information on the phone? Who didn't lock the phone down so the purchases couldn't occur?

But blame Apple.

TheGhostofFarkPast		2012-04-19 12:29:30 PM

GoodyearPimp: Is it a requirement to have your credit card number stored on the device (or through the app store)? In other words, is it not possible to prevent your spoiled kid from just clicking ok and racking up a huge bill? This would seem like a huge oversight unless of course it's exactly what the manufacturer wanted.

even if the info is stored when you hit install it prompts you for your Itunes ID password so if you are giving that to your kids you are an idiot.

People are suing apple these days on stuff like this because they see that they have a lot of money.

mohron		2012-04-19 12:51:25 PM

Yeah i have a kid and...

Theaetetus: ihatedumbpeople: My 2 year old LOVES this spelling game we have on our ipad, I just have to turn off wifi when he's playing it or he inevitably ends up at the app store and it's looking for a password.

I'd say that that should be the nail in the coffin of this lawsuit.

The one caveat is that it keeps you logged in for a few minutes... So if you enter your password to let your kid purchase one add-on, the kid can then purchase several dozen more. That could be a legitimate issue.

and I try to keep track...

stevetherobot: I want to monitor what apps my kids purchase, so I don't let them know the iTunes password. They have to come to me or my wife if they want something or to make an in-app purchase.

So I only let my kid use my phone when...

Lord Dimwit: Not giving your kid an iPhone is also, you know, an option.

So that means that really...

TheGhostofFarkPast: GoodyearPimp: People are suing apple these days on stuff like this because they see that they have a lot of money.

Ok, I see you guys had more line of thought covered. Sometimes when my daughter asks to play with the phone, I say no. I'm waiting for Child Protective Services to call because I am depriving her of iphone time.

BizarreMan		2012-04-19 12:55:13 PM

I'm surprised somebody isn't beating up Amazon more. Purchases on a Fire don't require any additional confirmation of password after the initial setup.

Rent Party		2012-04-19 01:25:42 PM

This is why I bought my daughter a Kindle Fire. I can add dollars to her account when she's good, and shut her access off completely when she's bad. I can monitor every single thing she buys.

It's a great system.

Cybernetic		2012-04-19 01:27:28 PM

Lord Dimwit: Not giving your kid an iPhone is also, you know, an option.

Blasphemer.

dhedge		2012-04-19 01:30:28 PM

Cybernetic: Are parents give their kids their iTunes passwords? My kids have never made an in-app purchase that I didn't know about and approve, because I'm the only one who knows my password.

Seriously, how hard is that? And why is Apple to blame for their stupidity?

jjorsett		2012-04-19 03:22:02 PM

brainlordmesomorph: [i.dailymail.co.uk image 233x370]

Do they not know what an iPhone is?

That looks like my kitchen timer.

nytmare		2012-04-19 04:47:02 PM

Just don't let your kids enjoy anything computerized and network-connected. Problem solved.

OBBN		2012-04-19 10:13:19 PM

curlyfries: Settings -> General -> Restrictions -> In-App purchases OFF

At least it's not a "my snowflake saw PORN on his phone!" lawsuit.

My 12 year old daughter WA playing a game on my Android tablet that she downloaded from the App store. Int was a free children's game that had an add pop up every couple of levels. While playing it one of the ads that popped up was for a hardcore porn site, complete with graphic pictures. I called the developer to let them know that the wrong add cycle was showing up in the game. They apologized and I got three follow up calls in 24 hours. During the last one the person from the company thanked me for being so understanding and for not threatening to sue.

/yeah I know CSB

OBBN		2012-04-19 10:14:33 PM

WA = was, stupid Android auto-correct

emersonbiggins		2012-04-20 12:58:48 AM

Why aren't people just using iTunes gift cards on their accounts? Buy shiat, balance drops to zero, end of story. No need to chase Apple for hundreds in unauthorized charges. Plus, it keeps the haXXors from getting your financial info. I can't imagine how much identity theft is going on with stolen iTunes passwords.

marcre3363		2012-04-20 01:42:33 AM

My son was watching a video on my phone this morning and banging on the screen. Next thing I know, he's calling a number on speakerphone. Fortunately, it was just my wife.

But buying something unintentionally? No. Because I took 20 seconds to change the settings so that won't happen. While it pisses me off I have to enter my password every time I want to upgrade an App, I appreciate it when my kids get ahold of the phone.

wombatsrus		2012-04-20 07:37:12 AM

Lord Dimwit: Not giving your kid an iPhone is also, you know, an option.

This. parenting = not giving your damn kids an i-whatever until they can pay for it themselves.

dentalhilljack		2012-04-20 10:36:19 AM

emersonbiggins: Why aren't people just using iTunes gift cards on their accounts? Buy shiat, balance drops to zero, end of story. No need to chase Apple for hundreds in unauthorized charges. Plus, it keeps the haXXors from getting your financial info. I can't imagine how much identity theft is going on with stolen iTunes passwords.

Came here to say THIS. Each kid has an Ipod Touch, and we get them gift cards for special occasions. When they exhaust them there's no other liability until we decide they can have more.

cefm		2012-04-20 11:56:58 AM

If your kid isn't old enought to pay for their own damn apps, they're not old enough for a smart-phone.

That's why my iTunes password is NOT im my phone's memory - so when my neice was playing angry birds on my phone and wanted to purchase something she had to come back to me for the approval and of course I told her no.

landmantx		2012-04-20 12:41:54 PM

The bottom line is that In-App purchasing should be OFF, not ON by default so that even if your not savvy enough to turn it on you won't run into issues. Obviously this is a conscious choice by Apple to increase profits by making you do the work to turn it off. Also the fact that games like Smurf Village have point packs that cost upwards of $50 a piece is obviously intended to capture money from kids who don't know any better.

Huck And Molly Ziegler		2012-04-20 01:38:03 PM

I'm siding with parents on this one. Quit being greedy bastards, Apple & associated cohorts. As landmantx says, purchasing system should be off unless laboriously activated.
Otherwise, if a kid pushes a button that's leading to game charges, a big message should flash, "Hey, kid, you're about to spend money that's not yours!"

dstrick44		2012-04-20 07:40:15 PM

dhedge
2012-04-19 01:30:28 PM
Cybernetic: Are parents give their kids their iTunes passwords? My kids have never made an in-app purchase that I didn't know about and approve, because I'm the only one who knows my password.

Seriously, how hard is that? And why is Apple to blame for their stupidity?

What fortunate kids you have. Never having to make a decision or mistake without Daddy looking over their shoulder and gravely nodding in consent. Or not.
Seriously. Kids do stupid things. It's how they learn what NOT to do in life. You people are crippling your kids by managing every waking moment of their lives.

whenIsayGO		2012-04-20 10:46:11 PM

Huck And Molly Ziegler: I'm siding with parents on this one. Quit being greedy bastards, Apple & associated cohorts. As landmantx says, purchasing system should be off unless laboriously activated.
Otherwise, if a kid pushes a button that's leading to game charges, a big message should flash, "Hey, kid, you're about to spend money that's not yours!"

That's going on the assumption that this device, which costs $700 without subsidies, is intended to be used primarily by children too young to understand the concept of money.

Why should the user experience be designed for a five-year-old, instead of for adults who are purchasing the phone for their own use?

If adults want to let their productivity/entertainment device double as a toddler's toy, they should have to do the work of toggling a couple settings.

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