The 3-question test before your kid downloads any new app
Before your child downloads any new app, take 5 minutes together to check who can contact them, what it really costs, and who collects their data.
Before your child downloads any new app, take 5 minutes together to check who can contact them, what it really costs, and who collects their data.
Before your child taps "download" on the next must-have game or social app, pause for five minutes and run this test together. Three questions. That is all it takes to catch most problems.
1. Who can my child talk to in it?
Open the app's store page and look for chat, voice, or video features. Can strangers message your child, or is contact limited to approved friends? Some apps let unknown users send messages unless you change the settings. Takeaway: if anyone can contact your child, either turn chat off in the app's settings or skip the app until they are older.
2. What does it cost — really?
"Free" games often make money through in-app purchases, virtual coins, and subscriptions. Check the store listing for "In-App Purchases," then agree on a rule together: no buying without asking first, with a purchase password turned on. Takeaway: a free download can still drain your wallet — learn the real price before the app lands on the home screen.
3. Who collects the data?
Scroll to the privacy section of the store page before downloading. Apple's privacy nutrition labels show what data an app collects in plain view. This step matters: a 2024 FTC staff report found that large social media and video streaming companies' data collection, minimization and retention practices were "woefully inadequate," and that they often treated teens the same as adult users. Takeaway: if the label shows heavy tracking or third-party advertising, look for an alternative that collects less.
Make it a habit: nothing gets downloaded without the three-question test. The AAP Family Media Plan is a free tool that helps your family turn checks like these into written rules everyone agrees on.