A Parent’s Guide to Stopping Predatory In-Game Purchases

Stop predatory in-game purchases now: a hands-on parent’s guide

Kids love games. What they don’t always realise is how aggressively free-to-play titles push players — especially younger ones — toward spending. If you’ve found unexplained charges for items in games like Diablo Immortal or Call of Duty Mobile, this guide is for you. In 2026 regulators and lawmakers are pushing back, but you don’t have to wait for policy to protect your family. Here’s a practical, step-by-step plan that uses parental controls, account settings, payment blocking and age-appropriate alternatives to stop predatory purchases cold.

Why this matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw a surge in regulatory scrutiny of mobile game monetisation. Italy’s competition authority (AGCM) opened probes into Activision Blizzard over mechanics that regulators say can nudge minors into overspending:

"These practices...may influence players as consumers — including minors — leading them to spend significant amounts...without being fully aware of the expenditure involved." — AGCM, Jan 2026

That attention means better disclosure and more parental tools are coming, but many popular titles still rely on limited-time deals, bundled in-game currency and FOMO mechanics that work on kids’ impulse control. Your job as a parent is simple: make it harder — ideally impossible — for those impulse buys to happen.

Quick safety checklist (do these first)

• Turn off in-app purchases or require approval at the OS/store level.
• Remove saved payment methods from the device and app stores.
• Set up family accounts with purchase approvals (Ask to Buy, Google Family Link).
• Enable screen time limits to reduce the frequency of purchase nudges.
• Use prepaid gift cards or bank virtual cards if you want to allow limited spending.

Step-by-step: Block purchases on iPhone and iPad (iOS 16–17/2026)

Apple’s built-in tools are the easiest and most reliable first line of defense.

1. Open Settings → Screen Time → Turn on Screen Time for device or child’s account.
2. Set up Family Sharing and assign the child an Apple ID if you haven’t already.
3. Enable Ask to Buy under Family Sharing — this forces purchase approval for app and in-app purchases.
4. In Screen Time: Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases → set In-app Purchases to Don’t Allow.
5. Remove stored cards: Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → remove cards assigned to the child’s Apple ID. For family devices, keep payment methods only on a parent account.
6. Require password for purchases: Settings → Face ID & Passcode → require authentication for every purchase.

Tip: If you want a small allowance, use an Apple Gift Card redeemed to the child’s account. That keeps a hard cap on spending and prevents charges to your credit card.

Step-by-step: Block purchases on Android (Google Play & Family Link)

Google’s Family Link plus Play Store controls give comparable protection.

1. Install Google Family Link and create a supervised Google Account for the child.
2. Open Family Link → select child → Manage settings → Google Play → set Require approval for purchases (all content or only paid content).
3. In the Play Store on the child’s device: Play Store menu → Settings → Require authentication for purchases → set to For all purchases through Google Play on this device.
4. Remove saved payment methods from the child profile: payments.google.com → Payment methods → remove cards linked to the child or the device.
5. Consider using a Google Play gift card or Play Pass for a controlled budget alternative.

Important: many Android devices also support device-level user profiles and app locks; combine these with Family Link to reduce accidental access.

Store & account level locks you must set

• Remove saved cards and PayPal: never keep your primary card on a child’s device or account.
• Disable one-click purchases: on platforms that support it, require authentication for every purchase.
• Lock app downloads: prevent the child from installing new apps without approval.
• Use separate accounts: don’t share your main Apple ID, Google Account or console account with a child.

Game-specific settings and why they matter

Some titles include their own spending limits or parental settings. Always check the in-game settings and publisher support pages for account-level spending caps.

• Diablo Immortal & Call of Duty Mobile: both are free-to-play with purchasable in-game currency and cosmetic bundles. Look for in-game purchase settings and bind the account to a parent-controlled email if possible.
• Bind accounts to 2FA: enabling two-factor authentication (when available) prevents unauthorised logins that could be used to make purchases.

Payment-blocking strategies that actually work

Beyond the OS-level tools, layer on payment-focused protections:

• Prepaid gift cards: only redeem the exact budget you allow. This prevents overdraft or surprise charges.
• Virtual/one-time cards: many banks provide disposable virtual card numbers you can set with a single-use or small limit — ideal for trials and testing apps safely.
• Dedicated family wallet: set up an account (or use a teen debit card from a family-friendly bank) with strict reload controls and spending alerts.
• Remove card details from stores: if the child uses a family device, keep cards under a parent account and require authentication for every purchase.
• Bank alerts and daily limits: set low transaction limits and instant push alerts so you’ll know within seconds if a charge occurs.

Router and network-level options (advanced)

If you want a technical layer, modern home routers and mesh systems include parental controls that can:

• Set schedules for device access (reduce exposure to limited-time offers).
• Block access to app stores or specific domains related to in-app billing.
• Pause internet access to the child’s game device during homework or night hours.

Warning: blocking domains requires careful setup. Mistakes can break legitimate apps or updates. Use this only if you’re comfortable with networking or have a tech-savvy friend.

What to do if money has already been spent

Act fast. The faster you act, the better the refund odds.

1. Check the purchase history on the platform (App Store / Google Play) and the issuer line items on your bank/credit card.
2. Request a refund through the platform: Apple’s reportaproblem.apple.com or Google Play’s Order History > Request a refund. Provide clear context — accidental purchase, child used account, etc.
3. If the platform refuses, contact the game publisher’s support; some developers have goodwill policies for family situations.
4. If necessary, contact your bank to dispute the charge. Explain the transaction was made by a minor without authorisation — many banks have expedited procedures for child purchases.
5. Document everything: screenshots of receipts, game account details, timestamps and your communications.

Script: How to talk to your child about purchases

Simple, calm conversations are surprisingly effective. Try this script:

"I noticed a charge from [game name]. I know it’s easy to buy things in games, so from now on we’ll set up a small spending limit together. If there’s something you really want, show it to me first and we’ll decide. Games are fun — but family budgets matter more."

Make clear rules and consequences. Encourage them to ask — treat purchases as a trust exercise rather than a sneaky trap.

Age-appropriate alternatives and healthier models

If you want to keep gaming but avoid nudges, consider these options:

• Subscription services: Apple Arcade, Google Play Pass or Xbox Game Pass (mobile-compatible). These remove microtransactions in many titles and provide a steady, predictable cost.
• Premium, one-time-purchase games: many mobile and indie titles are paid up front and free of in-app shops.
• Family-friendly games without pushy monetisation: choose experiences rated for kids that focus on creativity, puzzles or cooperative play.
• Reward-based systems: set up chores-to-credit programs where kids earn a small fund for in-game purchases (and learn budgeting).

Advanced strategies for busy parents

If you don’t have time to manage every setting, use these higher-leverage approaches:

• Use a single device for purchases: restrict all purchasing capability to one securely managed family device or account.
• Automate alerts: configure bank push alerts + email summaries for any charge over a small threshold.
• Monthly allowance reload: instead of ad-hoc permissions, top a child account monthly with a fixed amount via gift cards or prepaid teen card.
• Installability control: make the child’s device a locked-down profile that can’t install or update apps without your permission.

Refunds and consumer protection — what’s changed in 2026

Regulators in 2025–2026 stepped up pressure on exploitative monetisation. The immediate result: clearer disclosure rules and more tools to block purchases, especially for minors. But enforcement varies by country, so the technical protections listed here are still the most reliable path for parents.

If you’re in the EU or UK, consumer agencies are increasingly receptive to refunds where games use misleading UX to push purchases. If you’re outside those regions, platform and bank policies remain key avenues for recourse.

Checklist: 10-minute sprint to secure your kid’s account

1. Remove all saved payment methods from the child’s device/profile.
2. Enable Ask to Buy (iOS) or purchase approvals (Google Family Link).
3. Turn off in-app purchases at the OS/store level.
4. Set screen time limits for gaming apps.
5. Enable two-factor authentication on game accounts.
6. Set bank alerts and low transaction limits on family cards.
7. Redeem only prepaid gift cards for allowances.
8. Check game settings for any in-app caps or parental options.
9. Document any unauthorised charges and request refunds immediately.
10. Have a calm conversation with your child about rules and allowance.

Common questions

Can kids bypass parental controls?

Smart kids can try, but layering controls makes bypassing hard. Use OS-level blocks, remove saved payments, and require purchase approval — together these steps stop most attempts.

What if my child uses a friend’s device?

Talk about rules before they play on others’ devices. Consider disabling multiplayer purchases or setting a strict rule: no purchases without parent approval regardless of device.

Are in-game refunds always possible?

No. Platforms and developers vary. Act quickly, provide clear evidence, and escalate to your bank if platform support doesn’t resolve the situation.

Final takeaways

Games like Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile will keep using aggressive monetisation until regulators and market pressure fully curtail the worst practices. But as a parent you don’t have to wait. Start with store-level controls (Ask to Buy / Family Link), remove payment methods, use gift cards or virtual bank cards for limited budgets, and set clear family rules. Combine technical blocks with conversations — and you’ll reduce both accidental charges and the psychological nudges that make kids overspend.

Call to action

Take 15 minutes today: set family purchase approvals, remove saved cards, and give your kid a small prepaid allowance if you want them to learn budgeting. Join our parenting-gamers community for templates, quick-check lists and updates on the 2026 regulator actions that affect families. Protect your wallet and teach smart habits — start now.

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