Apps Aimed At Kids Should Be Childproof… Shouldn’t They?

It’s pretty much safe to assume that apps aimed at children are safe for children to use but parents with iPhones and iPads are being urged to be extra vigilant after the popular Talking Friends Cartoon app has been conning techno tots into a pricey scam.

The hugely popular app which is available on iPhone, iPad and Android services is free to download and allows users to learn more about their favourite characters, download wallpapers and watch short cartoons which have been co-produced with Disney.

However, what parents don’t realise is that a banner at the bottom of the screen carries users to a quiz to win a 64GB iPad, promoted by a company called Yamoja.

When the child clicks on the competition, users must sign up to a subscription service costing €4.65 (£4) a week.

Similarly, Dino Land, an app specifically aimed at children includes a feature where children can buy “extra virtual bones” in amounts of up to €81 (£69.99). The bones, used to speed up gameplay, are particularly enticing to impatient children who wish to complete the game quicker.

Parenting websites are reporting increasing instances of parents being charged  €581 (£500) or more after their children have made in-app purchases while playing games – and advise parents to ensure their devices block the purchases.

Should apps aimed at kids be allowed to feature advertising?

Speaking to The Guardian, Justine Roberts, Mumsnet co-founder and CEO, said: "App-developers need to build in greater controls from the start – it's shocking that a few click-throughs from an advert can lead to a €233 (£200) cost for unknowing parents, and it shows just how important it is to keep an eye on your child's device settings."

Siobhan Freegard, founder of parenting site Netmums, added: "Few people mind a couple of targeted ads which are relevant to the app service, as they realise it's the price to pay for the 'free' app. But bombarding children using free apps with expensive products and services they can unwittingly sign up to a couple of clicks is immoral."

The Talking Friends series of apps have been downloaded more than 600 million times, with 120 million people a month and 10 million people a day actively using them.