It's easy for youngsters playing 'free' games and apps to accidentally buy extras if you've stored your card details to make purchases yourself. When they come across new levels and extra lives, for example, all they have to do is click to buy. But you can protect against this.
Apple: Go to Settings, then General, then Restrictions. Press Enable Restrictions and you'll be asked to create a PIN. Turn off In-App Purchases (see the Allowed Content section) or set it so you have to put in the PIN before buying.
Android: Open the Google Play store and choose Settings. Select Set or Change PIN, and you be asked to choose a pin to be entered before buying when using any apps.
Kindle Fire: Instructions can be found on the Amazon website under Kindle Support.
GH Tip: Make sure the PIN you select for this function is different from the one you use to access the device itself.
Good Housekeeping August 2013
