in-app purchases and free trials
Gems Aren't Free
Nana's cooking show serves up a surprise bill: Gary taps four times on a countdown offer in Sharkley's new game Gem Splash, and Tank discovers his 'free trial' has charged him three months in a row. Shelldon explains what gems really cost.
Today's rule: Ask before you buy, even gems.
What kids learn
- Gems, coins and skins cost real money
- Free trials can turn into bills
- Ask a grown-up before buying anything
Quiz time
Play the gameCan you get them all?
A game sells 1,000 gems. What are gems bought with?
An offer says "only 4 minutes left!" What should you do?
💎 Is It Really Free?
Gems, coins, free trials… Which ones cost real money?
For parents & teachers
Talk about it together
- Turn on purchase approval ('ask to buy') on your child's devices and app store accounts.
- Remove saved payment cards from children's devices, or require a password for every purchase.
- Explain that gems, coins, skins and passes are bought with real money.
- Free trials usually turn into subscriptions: set a reminder to cancel.
Read more
In-App Purchases and Free Trials: Gems Cost Real Money
Many games sell virtual currency (gems, coins, crystals) that makes it easy to forget that real money is being spent.
Read the full guide →
Phishmael & Friends







