Free with advertising
The app costs nothing to download but uses adverts to earn money.
Is this app really free? The Great Freebie Check
A free download can still sell extras, start a paid subscription or collect information. Choose five clues for ages 3–5, 6–8 or 9–11.
Sample trail: Cost-Clue Crew (ages 6–8)
Reveal trials, in-app purchases, hidden fees and auto-renewals.
Clue 1. Why might a “free trial” ask for a payment card? Options: It may charge after the trial ends; It uses the card as decoration; It checks the weather.
Answer: It may charge after the trial ends. Many trials use card details so the company can charge if the trial is not cancelled in time. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Free trials and auto-renewals
Clue 2. What can “auto-renew” mean? Options: The subscription continues and charges again; It stays free forever; The app deletes itself.
Answer: The subscription continues and charges again. An auto-renewing offer can keep charging until it is cancelled. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Free trials and auto-renewals
Clue 3. A fee appears only on the last checkout screen. What is the problem? Options: The real cost was hidden until late; The button is the wrong colour; The page loaded slowly.
Answer: The real cost was hidden until late. The FTC lists hiding fees until late in checkout as a manipulative online design. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Manipulative online designs
Clue 4. Which two things can a free app still do? Options: Sell extra virtual items; Collect information; Promise never to use data; Stay completely cost-free forever.
Answer: Sell extra items and collect information. Free apps may offer in-app purchases and may collect information such as contacts or location. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Living Life Online
Clue 5. A grown-up is checking a free trial. Put the steps in order: Set a reminder before the deadline; Read the price, length and cancellation terms; Decide whether to sign up.
Answer: Read terms, decide, set a reminder. The FTC recommends knowing the terms and noting the cancellation deadline before a trial turns into charges. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Free trials and auto-renewals
The interactive quiz above also has trails for ages 3–5 and 9–11, plus more free Smart Internet and India quizzes—no sign-in required.
A five-minute guide for grown-ups
Help a child pause before “free” becomes a cost.
A free download is only the starting price. An app may sell optional items, continue after a trial as a paid subscription, or collect information. Use the quiz together, agree one family rule and then try the screen-free money activity.
Free with purchases
Extra lives, virtual items or upgrades may use real money.
Free for a trial
The subscription may charge again unless a grown-up cancels under its terms.
Free with another exchange
The app may ask for attention or information even when the download price is zero.
One memorable family rule
Pause → Ask → Check
Keep the rule short enough to use when a timer, colourful offer or exciting upgrade makes waiting difficult.
- PauseDo not tap while the offer is rushing you.
- AskPass the decision to the responsible grown-up.
- CheckFind the real price, renewal terms and what is being requested.
Start one small conversation
Choose a question that fits today.
“Does this button ask us to get or buy something?”
“Are these coins or gems connected to real money?”
“What is this offer encouraging us to do, and why?”
Continue away from the screen
Plan a Small Purchase
Choose pounds or euros with an adult, practise spending from 10 and explain the money left. The fictional shop asks for no family spending information and the optional real-world mission requires no purchase.
One A4 black-and-white page · Ages 7–8 · No account or child name
Keep building smart internet habits
Follow the question your child asks next.
Questions grown-ups often ask
A quick check before you begin
Can a free app still cost money?
Yes. A free download may include optional purchases, fees or a trial that later becomes a paid subscription.
What does auto-renew mean?
The subscription continues and charges again unless it is cancelled under the offer’s terms.
Which age trail should we choose?
Ages are guidance, not a test of ability. Start with the trail that feels readable and calm, and change trails whenever you like.
Does the quiz collect my child’s answers?
No. Trail choices and answers stay in this browser and reset when the page is refreshed. No account is required.