Bad parent? Blame Apple!

#27
#27
my real issue is we're becoming more of a tech driven world. People buy something like the iphone and don't take the time to learn what it does. Then when an issue comes up they turn around and blame the software for their ignorance.

my wife will tell you I do almost too much research and learn what things do before ever making a purchase. I also know how to lock things down so others can't take advantage of things in the systems. I feel that is completely my responsibility and even more so when it is tied to my bank account.

if there's a flaw in the hardware/software that allows someone to take advantage then that's the manuf issue. If the flaw is that you gave your 4yo complete access to a system tied directly to your bank account then I don't put that on anyone but the owner
 
#28
#28
burntorangeVOLffle said:
Quick google search and……

Save Yourself the Unwanted Bill and Disable In-App Purchases [How To] | Cult of Mac

The companies that make these games are shady for sure but it's up to the parents to know what they are handing their kid. Patents shouldn't assume that it's safe just because the initial app is free.
Click to expand...

No more shady that any of the companies that bombard the disney channel or major networks on saturday morning with kid targeted commercial. Assumptions do end up biting you in the ass most of the time.
 
#29
#29
I research my purchases, as well. But I always worry that with all the technology around us today, something will slip through the cracks. So I feel like we have an obligation to protect consumers from shady business practices that are designed to prey on the uninformed like this.

Especially the elderly, I mean my god, how are we supposed to expect them to know about this crap? I guess they just shouldn't have smartphones, but sometimes they like to impress their grandkids!


Also, I think Pooch wanted to weigh in on this topic. Come on out, Pooch. It's okay.
 
#30
#30
BearCat204 said:
No more shady that any of the companies that bombard the disney channel or major networks on saturday morning with kid targeted commercial. Assumptions do end up biting you in the ass most of the time.
Click to expand...

It's completely different. A purchase at a brick & mortar store is as straightforward as it gets. When your kid comes whining that they want the latest Barbie or Stretch Armstrong, you know how much it costs, and that you are going to have to authorize the transaction.

Now, if Stretch Armstrong gets home and starts billing you for supplemental fees based on how many times you stretch his arms out, then we'll talk. Or if barbie comes with a mail in form that requires nothing but a check box to order outfits billed to the original credit card information.
 
#31
#31
I just went and did an in app purchase and it asked for my password. In fact, this time it even made me verify my security questions.
 
#32
#32
Thrasher865 said:
I research my purchases, as well. But I always worry that with all the technology around us today, something will slip through the cracks. So I feel like we have an obligation to protect consumers from shady business practices that are designed to prey on the uninformed like this.

Especially the elderly, I mean my god, how are we supposed to expect them to know about this crap? I guess they just shouldn't have smartphones, but sometimes they like to impress their grandkids!
Click to expand...

IMO they should ask. My parents are probably advanced for their generation but I still get calls all the time asking about stuff like this

my FIL lives in a 55+ community in FL and is retired from running his own tech support business. He makes quite a bit of money giving classes on this stuff and going to set up wireless networks, email, etc for the older people.

Maybe this makes me feel a little different about the situation. It has just never seemed tough for me to figure out what I wanted when it came to technology. Even a quick google search will give you all the info you need (but even that seems like a crap shoot now)
 
#33
#33
A world where we are so dumb we have to rely on others/gov't to protect us is a pretty sad world. If Apple is taking advantage of the elderly, well we should stop doing business with them.
 
#34
#34
Parents have been making mistakes for generations, and will continue to do so. That, however, doesn't give companies an excuse to intentionally create situations for a child to make an innocent decision that ends up costing the parents money. In the non-digital world this would be the equivalent of buying a teenager an all-day pass to Disney World. Unknown and intentionally "hidden" to the parent and child is the fact that once inside the pass can also be used to buy other items. And what really makes it worse... is that once inside vendors are actively giving items away to any child who will simply let them swipe their all-day pass.

Should parents do a better job of "reading the fine print"? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean companies should be able to design unscrupulous ways to take advantage of parents and/or children.
 
#35
#35
burntorangeVOLffle said:
Quick google search and……

Save Yourself the Unwanted Bill and Disable In-App Purchases [How To] | Cult of Mac

The companies that make these games are shady for sure but it's up to the parents to know what they are handing their kid. Parents shouldn't assume that it's safe just because the initial app is free.
Click to expand...

The process is extremely simple. You just go to Settings>>General>>Restrictions>>Enter PIN>>Enable Restrictions>>In-App Purchases Off.
Click to expand...

wow, that's advanced user stuff
 
#36
#36
I have seen one of these apps where it actually says in the app description. WARNING: This app allows in-app purchases.

In cases like this, yes, I have no sympathy. But, I feel like a lot of them aren't this straightforward. However, if you cannot read the app description before purchasing, even if you are looking for other warnings, such as content that would be inappropriate for your young child, then you have no ground to stand on with a complaint like this.
 
#37
#37
utvolpj said:
wow, that's advanced user stuff
Click to expand...

The problem is nobody communicates that in-app purchases are even an issue. If you aren't aware that they even exist, how will you know to go searching in the settings for a way to disable them?
 
#38
#38
my 2 years old hammers away on the ipad screen and he has almost made purchases of games. A lot of the free games have other sections that cost money, my kid is just click away on the screen not knowing what he is doing

And when I say "games", I mean like "old McDonald had a farm" or "ABC, 123" stuff. Not "Angry Birds"


edit: It definitely has a feel that they are trying to bamboozle people
 
Last edited:
#39
#39
maybe it's a recent change forced by complaints but the game in the article spells it out pretty well

App Store - Smurfs' Village

Description

PLEASE NOTE: Smurfs' Village is free to play, but charges real money for additional in-app content. You may lock out the ability to purchase in-app content by adjusting your device’s settings.
Click to expand...
 
#43
#43
consumer pressure resulted in some product changes. that should be sufficient. the whole suing Apple thing because your kid bought a couple hundred dollars worth of crap is ridiculous.
 
#44
#44
volinbham said:
consumer pressure resulted in some product changes. that should be sufficient. the whole suing Apple thing because your kid bought a couple hundred dollars worth of crap is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Some Americans wanting someone else to manage their kids
 
#49
#49
hohenfelsvol said:
Kind of like bars with happy hours and day care under one roof
Click to expand...

No, you're mistaken. You're thinking of "husband day care."

If there are actually bars out there encouraging people to drive their kids in, get drunk, and then drive them home, the owners of those bars should be paraded out into the street and shot.

Hyperbole, obviously. Maybe you just scalp them and give them a chance to survive.
 
#50
#50
Thrasher865 said:
No, you're mistaken. You're thinking of "husband day care."

If there are actually bars out there encouraging people to drive their kids in, get drunk, and then drive them home, the owners of those bars should be paraded out into the street and shot.

Hyperbole, obviously. Maybe you just scalp them and give them a chance to survive.
Click to expand...

I was actually talking about both in one place but it had a hint of sarcasm attached to it.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top