Hi, I�m Sharon Vaknin for CNET.com here with some advice that might save you a lot of
money.
We�ve heard many stories about kids who spent hundreds of their parents� dollars on
apps, especially games.
Usually it�s the in-app purchases that rack up your iTunes bill...Like the 25-dollar barrel
of smurfberries in Smurfs Village...Or a 20-dollar jar of stars from Tap Zoo.
Maybe a few of you purchase-happy non-parents should also take this advice. I�ve seen
enough adults obsessed with Farmville.
To disable in-app purchasing on your a device, go to Settings...General...then
Restrictions.
When you turn restrictions on, you�ll be asked to set a passcode. Pick one that no one
can guess. Nowyou can configure a number of controls.
To disable in-app purchases, scroll down to �Allowed Content� and switch it to off.
Remember that on iOS 4.3, Apple asks for your iTunes password each time an in-app
purchase is made...but THIS setting will completely disable these purchases.
You can also disable the installation of apps so that YOU choose what goes on the
device.
There may be other things you don�t want your kids doing either, like downloading
explicit music, sharing their location, or playing games with strangers. All those setting
and more are available here.
Disabling downloads and in-app purchases is good for passive control...but here�s an
option that will help your child learn about budgeting.
iTunes has a little-known feature called Store Allowance. It lets you to send a monthly
iTunes credit to another user.
So you can give your child $10 a month for app purchasing, and they can decide how it
will be budgeted.
Go to the iTunes store and click �Buy iTunes Gifts�. Scroll down to Allowances, and click
�Set up an allowance now�.
Before you do this, you�ll need your own iTunes account, and the account of the person
who�s getting money. If they don�t have one, you can set one up in this next window.
Once you fill out the form, select the monthly allowance, and you�re set. If you ever want
to make changes, go to you your Account Information page.
Allowance lets kids learn about budgeting without putting your credit card at risk. If they
run out of money...they�ll have to wait �til next month.
For CNET.com, I�m Sharon Vaknin, and I�ll see you on the interwebs.
