BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Facebook Tricked Kids Into Spending Parents' Money on Games, Reports Reveal

Luckily, the social network has since updated its policies and guidelines.
save article
profile picture of Stephanie Grassullo
By Stephanie Grassullo, Contributing Writer
Published January 28, 2019
toddler staring at tablet
Image: Albert Mollon / Getty Images

Facebook was pulling one over (you and) your kid’s head. The social network tricked kids into spending money on games like Angry Birds, PetVille and Ninja Saga without needing parents’ permission, USA Today reports.

The class-action lawsuit happened a few years ago, but the documents have just been released to the public. The reports reveal information spanning from 2010 to 2014.

Making matters worse, when Facebook came up with an internal solution that could address the issue, it chose “not try to block children from unwittingly spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on its games" because it would affect revenues, Reveal claims.

The good news—Facebook has since updated this policy.

The company told USA Today it “works with parents and experts to offer tools for families navigating Facebook and the web. As part of that work, we routinely examine our own practices, and in 2016 agreed to update our terms and provide dedicated resources for refund requests related to purchases made by minors on Facebook.”

The update includes a Parents Portal to help parents maintian children’s online activity, and clearer guidelines on how charge disputes are handled.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen online ads or information being used to dupe kids into making purchases. A 2018 study found 95 percent of kids’ apps contain at least one type of advertising, and, more often than not, they’re not ethical.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Advertisement
mom bottle feeding baby while woman helps her
Real Moms Share Tips on How to Find Your Village
By Anna Davies
Lindsay Lohan attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.
Lindsay Lohan Jokes She Has Bald Spots From Son's Hair Pulling Phase
By Wyndi Kappes
Emma Stone accepts the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for "Poor Things" at the 96th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Emma Stone Gives Sweet Shout Out to Her Toddler in Oscar Speech
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
baby baptism shoes and gold cross necklace
15 Baby Baptism Gifts That Bring the Blessings
By Martina Garvey
Blake Lively attends the Michael Kors A/W 2024 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in Chelsea on February 13, 2024 in New York City.
Blake Lively Says Having Kids “Electrified” Her Nervous System
By Wyndi Kappes
celebrity actress, Viola Davis with her adopted daughter, Genesis
Viola Davis Recounts Accidentally Locking Her Baby in a Car
By Wyndi Kappes
child's 5th birthday party with friends
Amid Birthday Party Fatigue One Mom Shares Her Three-Party Policy
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Taylor Swift and Blake Lively react prior to Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Blake Lively Says Super Bowl Was Her First Time Out Without Her Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
Tyler Perry on The Kelly Clarkson Show - Season 5 February 2024
Tyler Perry Shares His Secret to Being a Great Father to His Son
By Wyndi Kappes
baby feet wrapped in pink blanket with heart
NICU Nurses Capture Baby’s First Valentine’s Day
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger attend Cleobella x Katherine Schwarzenegger event at The Coast Lounge at Palisades Villages on November 04, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt Reveals How She Combats Mom Burnout
By Wyndi Kappes
donna kelce and family
Baby Doesn’t Get a Free Pass for Super Bowl, Donna Kelce Explains
By Wyndi Kappes
dad talking to young daughter
Viral Post Praises the Magic of "Role Play" Parenting
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother holding newborn baby
Viral Video Speaks to the Power of a Postpartum Village
By Wyndi Kappes
30 First Birthday Gift Ideas Worth Celebrating
30 First Birthday Gift Ideas Worth Celebrating
By Martina Garvey
pregnant mom with child and husband
Viral Post Addresses Drop in Second Pregnancy Support and Celebration
By Wyndi Kappes
grandpa holding grandson
The Internet Debates How Often Grandparents Need to See Baby to Bond
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mom and baby celebrating birthday
Study Explores Why Mom Is Likely to Share a Birthday Month With Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
mother holding newborn baby during christmas time at home
Viral TikTok Helps New Moms Set Boundaries This Holiday Season
By Wyndi Kappes
mother playing with toddler daughters at home
This Year's Top Trending Parenting Styles, According to Google Search
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.