Parents Suing Apple, They Say Kids Apps Are Too “Addictive”
Apple is being sued by a group of parents in a class action lawsuit because they call the company’s children’s games too “addictive.” The lawsuit was recently green lit by a San Jose judge.
According to the lawsuit the company’s games are:
“Highly addictive, designed deliberately to be so, and tend to compel children playing them to purchase large quantities of game currency, amounting to as much as $100 per purchase or more.”
Parents in the lawsuit argue that while the games can be downloaded for free in-app purchases can cause the cost of those games to skyrocket. The parents cite “Smurfberries” currency which sell in the Smurfs game for $59 per batch.
The lawsuit argues that children use their parents iTunes account to purchase the extras.
Apple recently changed the way its security protocols work so that parents need to setup in-app purchases with a password as soon as possible, that change came about after a British boy racked up $2,000 in charges while paying the game “Tap Zoo” on the iPad.
In the meantime the parents involved in this lawsuit may want to think about actually parenting. If they are worried their children are not responsible enough to game responsibly perhaps they shouldn’t be buying them $500 iPads and iPhones in the first place. It shouldn’t be the responsibility of Apple to babysit a parents child because they are too lazy too do it themselves and that is likely the very argument Apple will make when this case moves forward.
Do you think the parents have a case or will Apple prevail based on the parenting vs. babysitting argument?
Tags : Apple, Apple Childrens Games, Apple Lawsuit, Childrens Games
Posted: April 19, 2012
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Apr 19, 2012
i think its the parents responsibility to monitor what their kids are doing.Dont want them spending up itunes money?Then tell them No Purchases…thye buy it anyway..take away the ipad/phone til they can be responsible & follow directions.I dont know about everyone else but my kids ask before doing anything they think may cost.
Apr 19, 2012
Same here, my kids ask. Seems these children mentioned here are heathens. Parents can't blame anyone but themselves! Take care of your kid, instead of having a video game do it for ya!
Apr 19, 2012
I agree that the extras are priced way to much for these games(I'm a zynga game player), but as far as suing apple because they supply the games is beyond foolish! These parents need to focus more attention on they're kids and less on some frivolous law suit!
Apr 19, 2012
Did these parents ever hear of Taking the games away from the kids They are the parents You should act it..
Apr 19, 2012
I think the parents need to stop using these devices as babysitters and play with their kids instead.
Apr 19, 2012
Parents should take responsibility…
Apr 19, 2012
*they're
but yeah how are you going to sue someone over your own lack of self control and weak willpower? Makes no sense.
Apr 19, 2012
Both my kids play on tablets and they both understand not to buy things on apps, plus I keep them close and check what they're doing routinely. Take some responsibility and interact with your kids instead of throwing technology at them to leave you alone.
Apr 19, 2012
Umm, I have these apps, and my six year old son plays them alll the time! It's called a password and nothing can be purchased without the password, trust me I say "No" about twenty times a day, he can't even get a FREE app with out it! Take control of your children and don't just hand them an iPhone, iPad or anything else to occupy your kids!
Apr 19, 2012
Hey, people sue others over their own stupidity all the time. Why should "I" be held responsible for my own actions when I can sue someone else? Some people shouldn't be allowed to have kids!
Apr 19, 2012
Wow, really. Should we sue these parents for not taking the role of a PARENT? Take the phone away from them and don't allow them to purchase this apps. I don't like lazy parents, it is embarrassing.
Apr 19, 2012
I believe that it is the parents' job to monitor the children. I have a smartphone with Tapfish and several other games on it. All of which were free! I do not expect my 4 yearold to know what he is reading…but my children dont buy something. This has been explained to them. I also feel that it is not the companies fault that the child plays the game so long that they be come "glued" to it. Again, the parents fault. What do they think their going to get out pf this if, IF, they win??
Apr 19, 2012
oK for the little ones: Leap pad is cheaper, the child can " play" and LEARN! for the bigger kids there are plenty of game systems out there that are not connected to the web & the markets… If the parents are only worried about their kids spending too much money… If you want to be a good parent, don't tempt your children with things that do not teach them anything, & can cost you tons of money that could be used for sport type activities that teach them team work and help keep them healthy…
Apr 19, 2012
oK for the little ones: Leap pad is cheaper, the child can " play" and LEARN! for the bigger kids there are plenty of game systems out there that are not connected to the web & the markets… If the parents are only worried about their kids spending too much money… If you want to be a good parent, don't tempt your children with things that do not teach them anything, & can cost you tons of money that could be used for sport type activities that teach them team work and help keep them healthy…
Apr 19, 2012
oK for the little ones: Leap pad is cheaper, the child can " play" and LEARN! for the bigger kids there are plenty of game systems out there that are not connected to the web & the markets… If the parents are only worried about their kids spending too much money… If you want to be a good parent, don't tempt your children with things that do not teach them anything, & can cost you tons of money that could be used for sport type activities that teach them team work and help keep them healthy…
Apr 19, 2012
oK for the little ones: Leap pad is cheaper, the child can " play" and LEARN! for the bigger kids there are plenty of game systems out there that are not connected to the web & the markets… If the parents are only worried about their kids spending too much money… If you want to be a good parent, don't tempt your children with things that do not teach them anything, & can cost you tons of money that could be used for sport type activities that teach them team work and help keep them healthy…
Apr 19, 2012
oK for the little ones: Leap pad is cheaper, the child can " play" and LEARN! for the bigger kids there are plenty of game systems out there that are not connected to the web & the markets… If the parents are only worried about their kids spending too much money… If you want to be a good parent, don't tempt your children with things that do not teach them anything, & can cost you tons of money that could be used for sport type activities that teach them team work and help keep them healthy…
Apr 19, 2012
oK for the little ones: Leap pad is cheaper, the child can " play" and LEARN! for the bigger kids there are plenty of game systems out there that are not connected to the web & the markets… If the parents are only worried about their kids spending too much money… If you want to be a good parent, don't tempt your children with things that do not teach them anything, & can cost you tons of money that could be used for sport type activities that teach them team work and help keep them healthy…
Apr 29, 2012
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