What it is
Toca Life World looks like a box of toys. The app itself is free. A lot of the houses, shops, and locations are separate purchases. A child can be in the middle of a story and hit a lock on the next room.
What it costs: those packs, one after another, if a card is on the phone. What it does not cost: a chat with strangers. This is a money issue, not a meeting-people issue. They can play for a long time in the places you have already unlocked.
What to look out for
- A locked door or a new location with a price on it.
- Several packs bought in one sitting.
- A “free” gift that then asks you to pay to open the rest of the set.
Ways to stay safe
These steps are for Toca Life World. The house rules still apply on every app.
- Do not put your card details on their device. Not in the App Store, Google Play, the game, or PayPal. If you choose to pay, type the card in yourself for that purchase, then remove it.
- Decide which packs, if any, you are willing to buy. Then remove the card.
- Tell them a lock means “ask”, not “tap”.
- In-app purchases off if they are young enough to tap through a price without reading it.
In the news
Published reports you can read yourself. A headline is the proof, not a set of instructions, and this page does not repeat graphic detail.
- Games that sell random prizes are getting higher age ratings The report is about in-app purchases adding up. Toca Life World is free, then sells the places inside it.
A way to start the conversation
You can say: "The people in this app are toys. The prices are real. If a place is locked, you show me. We might buy it, or we might play with what we already have. My card is not saved on your tablet."
Video
Parent briefing
A short video for this guide can be added by an editor. Until then, the written briefing above is the one to use.