Children Bill Shock

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate telephone services, has warned in a report published in the middle of January, that parents who don’t talk to their children about their use of smartphone apps and similar can be hit with bills for hundreds or even thousands of pounds.  Complaints to PhonepayPlus about children’s use of apps rose 300% over the last year, with many children being attracted to supposedly-free apps which have built in extras, or which have malware that charges the phone without the user’s consent or knowledge.  This report follows many news reports of bill shock relating to content downloaded or roaming charges meaning that there are probably very few adults who have escaped unscathed from such bill shock to date.

The report, Children as Connected Consumers, lays out the regulator’s plans and priorities to tackle the problem and help children and parents understand the potential costs involved in using smartphones and tablets, with two areas being highlighted in particular: risks around free apps and risks around social media, in particular where premium rate services are promoted via social media.  Unsurprisingly the report cites various examples of individuals and promoters who have taken advantage of children’s trust and naivety on social media platforms; in one case a 14-year-old girl was tricked into paying for virtual credits in a game when a social media “friend” said she had no credits to phone her dying grandmother; there are many more examples.

The report gives practical tips for parents to help their children enjoy smartphones and social media while avoiding the pitfalls.  These tips include:

• Registering the phone as a child’s phone with your mobile network before giving it to your son/daughter;
• Talking to your mobile network about the controls available, for example a pay-as-you-go account, or blocking certain services, and making sure you are clear about what is being offered;
• Teaching your child to stop and think before they input their mobile number online or on a social media site – entering numbers online can give permission to charge that number and can also compromise privacy;
• Knowing which apps your child is downloading and how much they cost;
• Using www.phonebrain.org.uk, which is an interactive website about safe and secure phone use for children and young people as well as parents;
• Contacting your mobile network straight away if you get an unexpectedly high bill or if your child is accessing inappropriate services.  If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, contact PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212.
• The report is certainly worth a read for anyone who has experienced this problem or is about to purchase a smart phone or tablet device for their children.