Jack Black's Son Racked Up A $3k App Bill -
He contacted the app developers to request a refund, openly criticizing the practice of marketing $100 purchases in games specifically designed for children as "irresponsible". A Warning for All Parents
The trouble began with a game that was marketed as free to play. The game involved collecting monsters, but progress required "diamonds" and "jewels". While individual items could be bought for as little as 99 cents, the app also offered a "big sack of diamonds" for $100—a button Sammy found particularly appealing. Jack Black's Son Racked Up a $3K App Bill
In true Jack Black fashion, the actor sat his then eight-year-old son down for a serious "talk" about the value of money. He contacted the app developers to request a
Immediately following the discovery, Black disabled all in-app purchases on the iPad. While individual items could be bought for as
Black only realized what was happening when he checked his email and found approximately from Apple. After doing the math, he discovered the total had reached a staggering $3,000. A "Rock Star" Reality Check
Black's story highlights a growing concern regarding predatory game design. Many apps use confusing multiple currencies to mask the real-world cost of items, making it easy for children (and sometimes adults) to lose track of their spending.