The Hidden Dangers of Free Apps and Games for Kids

Nothing in life is truly free—and that includes the apps and games your child loves. While they may not require an upfront payment, many of these "free" apps come with hidden costs. Some collect personal data, others bombard kids with ads, and many encourage spending through in-app purchases. Behind the fun and engaging gameplay, these apps often prioritize profit over privacy and safety, leaving children vulnerable to risks parents might not see at first glance. Before handing over a device, it’s important to understand what’s really at stake and how to keep your child protected.

1. Privacy Risks: What Data Are Kids Apps Collecting?

When your child plays a free game, they might be sharing more than just their high score. Many apps quietly collect personal information, including their name, email address, location, and even how they interact with the game—what they tap on, how long they play, and what in-game choices they make. While this data is often used for targeted advertising, the real danger lies in where it ends up.

Some apps share or sell this information to third-party companies, which may not have strong security measures in place. If one of these companies experiences a data breach, your child’s personal details could end up in the hands of hackers. Stolen data can be used to create fake accounts, target them with phishing scams, or even be sold on the dark web. Unfortunately, most parents don’t realize their child’s identity has been compromised until it’s too late.

What you can do:

Check the app’s privacy policy—if it’s missing or difficult to understand, that’s a red flag.
Use parental controls to limit data tracking and sharing.
Avoid apps that ask for unnecessary permissions (like access to the microphone, contacts, or precise location).
Consider a digital identity protection tool to monitor if your child’s information has been exposed in a data breach.

2. In-App Purchases: Free Isn’t Always Free

Many free apps make money through in-app purchases—extra lives, special characters, or virtual currency that kids can buy with a simple tap. Some games are designed to encourage spending, creating frustrating wait times or making it nearly impossible to advance without paying.

If your child has access to your payment information, these purchases can quickly add up.

What you can do:

Turn off in-app purchases or require a password for every transaction.
Explain to your child that real money is being spent, even if the purchase is just for a “digital” item.
Choose games that offer a one-time payment instead of free-to-play models.

3. Inappropriate Ads and Content

Since free apps rely on advertising to make money, they often show ads that aren’t well-regulated. While some games claim to be kid-friendly, the ads they display may not be. Kids can be exposed to violent content, scary images, or misleading messages.

Some ads use deceptive tactics, tricking children into clicking by disguising the ad as part of the game. Once clicked, the ad may lead to websites that contain malware or ask for personal information.

What you can do:

Switch off ad tracking on your child’s smartphone by going into the relevant settings on Android or iOS.
Use parental control settings to block certain types of content.
Monitor your child’s internet time to see what ads they’re being shown.

4. Online Interactions: The Risk of Chat Features

Many free games include chat functions that allow players to talk to strangers. While some chats are moderated, many aren’t, and kids can easily come across inappropriate language, bullying, or even predators posing as other children.

Some predators use online games to gain children’s trust, slowly gathering information about them before attempting to move the conversation to another platform.

What you can do:

Disable chat features or limit communication to friends and family.
Teach your child to never share personal details online, even if someone seems friendly.
Keep gaming devices in shared spaces so you can monitor interactions.

5. Malware, Unsafe Downloads, and Security Risks

Some apps are designed specifically to install malware on devices, steal passwords, or trick users into downloading additional harmful software. While these apps may look legitimate, they can spy on activity, flood devices with pop-ups, or even take complete control. But the risks go beyond just annoying ads—poorly designed apps often come with security flaws.

Threat actors can exploit these weaknesses to steal personal data, hijack gaming or social media accounts, or even sign children up for premium-rate services without their knowledge. Worse, in some cases, hackers can use access to the device for cyber-extortion—locking files or threatening to leak private information unless a ransom is paid.

What you can do:

Only download apps from official stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Read reviews and check the developer’s reputation before installing any app.
Use security software to scan for malicious apps and detect vulnerabilities.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
Talk to your child about suspicious pop-ups or messages, so they know not to click on anything unusual.

Stay in Control

To keep your child safe, always research apps before downloading—check their privacy policies, reviews, and permissions. Stay involved by setting clear boundaries, monitoring app usage, and disabling risky features like chat or social interactions.

Tools like Bitdefender Parental Control make online safety easier by blocking inappropriate content and ads, setting internet time limits, monitoring app activity, and preventing access to unsafe websites or chat functions. With the right precautions and tools, you can help your child enjoy a fun and secure digital experience.