Your child asks for £20 to buy gems, skins, or a loot box. You say yes because it's just once. Two weeks later, they've spent £80. You're not alone—UK children spent over £270 million on in-game purchases last year, and most parents didn't see it coming until the credit card bill arrived.
In-app purchases and loot boxes are deliberately designed to feel small and rewarding. A £2 purchase doesn't hurt. But the game is engineered so that spending becomes a habit, especially for children under 12, who are less able to understand that virtual items have real cost. The good news: every device has a spending control built in. You just need to know where to find it.
How in-app purchases work
When your child plays a game on a phone, tablet, or console, they can buy things within the game itself without leaving it. This happens on:
- Apple devices (iPhone, iPad) through the App Store
- Android devices (most phones and tablets) through Google Play
- PlayStation 5 through PlayStation Network
- Xbox through Xbox Live
- Nintendo Switch through the eShop
- PC games through Steam, Epic Games Store, or in-game marketplaces
Loot boxes are the trickiest because you don't know what you're buying before you pay. Your child spends £1.99 for a mystery box that might contain something common or something rare. The game doesn't tell them the odds. They might buy five boxes chasing the rare item and spend £10 before getting it. This is gambling mechanics dressed up as a game feature, and it's intentional.
> Set spending limits on every device your child owns. Without them, even a careful child will overspend.
iPhone and iPad: Family Sharing limits
On Apple devices, spending happens through the App Store. Use Family Sharing to link your child's account to yours and set a strict purchase limit.
- Open Settings → [Your Name] → Family Sharing
- Tap Parental Controls (or Set Up Family if you haven't done this yet)
- Select your child's account
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions (toggle should be green)
- Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases
- Set In-App Purchases to Don't Allow
If you want to allow some purchases (so they can buy a battle pass they save up pocket money for), set Require Purchase to Always Require instead. This means they'll need your password or Face ID every single time, so you see every purchase.
Also set a Monthly Spending Limit under Family Sharing → Payment Method if you have a stored card. Apple will warn you when it's reached.
Android devices: Google Play controls
Android phones and tablets use Google Play for app and in-game purchases. The control here is called Family Link, and it's free.
- On your own phone, download the Google Family Link app