Introduction
“Your kid spent ₹20,000 on skins. Is the payment legally valid?”
Your child is playing a game on your phone. A few clicks later, you get a bank alert.
₹20,000 has left your account.
Your child says, “I did not know it would cost that much.”
You are now asking a simple question: Can I get my money back?
The answer depends on several things. The child’s age matters. So does the payment method, the gaming account and the way the purchase happened.
Can Parents Stop Children from Spending Money on Games?
Yes.
Parents can set limits on their child’s spending. They can also control access to cards, bank accounts and other payment methods.
Many devices and app stores also offer parental controls. These controls can help parents approve or block purchases before a child makes them.
For example, Google Play lets parents set purchase approval rules for family accounts. Apple also offers tools such as Ask to Buy and Screen Time.
These tools can help prevent large and unexpected gaming bills.
Can a Minor Make a Valid Contract?
Indian contract law treats minors differently from adults.
The Indian Contract Act, 1872 sets rules about who can enter into a contract. A minor does not have the same legal capacity to make a contract as an adult.
The Supreme Court also dealt with this issue in Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose. The case remains an important authority on agreements made by minors.
But this does not mean that every purchase made by a child must result in a refund.
A gaming purchase can involve more than one issue. The game may have its own terms. The payment may go through an app store. A parent may own the bank card. Each part can affect the dispute.
What If a Child Uses a Parent’s Card?
Imagine that a parent saves a card on a phone.
The child then uses the phone to play a game. Without asking the parent, the child buys ₹20,000 worth of skins.
The parent should act quickly.
First, check the payment record. Then contact the gaming company or app store. Explain that the child made the purchase without permission.
The parent should also contact the bank or payment provider if the transaction appears unauthorised.
Keep the receipt, transaction number and screenshots. These records can help when you ask for a refund or report the payment.
Does a Child Always Get a Refund?
No.
A child’s age alone does not guarantee a refund.
The platform may look at how the purchase happened. It may also check who owned the account and payment method.
The platform may ask whether the parent had allowed the child to make earlier purchases. It may also check whether the child already used the digital items.
For this reason, parents should not assume that saying “my child made the purchase” will always solve the problem.
What If the Child Bought Game Skins?
Game skins may look like simple digital items. However, they can cost real money.
A child may buy skins, coins, characters or other items without realising how quickly the costs can add up.
Parents should check the purchase settings on the device and the gaming account.
If a child makes a large purchase without permission, contact the platform as soon as possible. Explain what happened and ask about its refund process.
The sooner you report the purchase, the better.
Can Consumer Protection Law Help?
In some cases, yes.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 protects consumers against certain unfair trade practices and poor services.
For example, a platform may face questions if it makes a false claim about its service or fails to provide a service it promised.
However, consumer law does not mean that every gaming purchase deserves a refund.
A parent cannot always cancel a purchase simply because the child later regrets spending the money.
The facts of each case matter.
What If the Payment Was Not Authorised?
This situation needs special attention.
Suppose a child uses a parent’s card without permission. The parent did not allow the purchase and did not know about it.
The parent should contact the bank or payment provider quickly. The parent should also report the transaction to the gaming company or app store.
Save all payment records. Keep screenshots of the purchase and any messages from the company.
If someone used the payment details in a fraudulent way, the parent may also need to report the matter through the proper cybercrime channel.
Does the Online Gaming Law Cover These Purchases?
India introduced a new legal framework through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
The Act focuses on online money games and related activities that fall within its scope.
However, not every purchase inside a video game falls into that category.
Buying a ₹200 skin is different from paying money to enter a game where the player expects to win money.
Parents should therefore look at the type of game and the purpose of the payment.
The word “gaming” alone does not decide the legal position.
What If the Game Involves Real Money?
The situation changes when a child pays money to take part in a game with the chance of getting money or another financial benefit.
The 2025 Act places restrictions on online money games covered by the law.
This makes it important to know what the child actually paid for.
A normal purchase of a digital item may raise one set of legal questions. A payment linked to an online money game may raise another.
Can Parents Prevent These Purchases?
Yes.
Parents can remove saved cards from a child’s device. They can also turn on password checks and purchase approval settings.
Google Play offers family purchase controls. Apple also allows parents to approve purchases through Ask to Buy and limit in-app purchases through Screen Time.
Parents should also check the settings inside the game itself.
A few minutes spent changing these settings can prevent a much bigger problem later.
What Should You Do After a ₹20,000 Purchase?
Start by checking the payment.
Find out which account made the purchase and which payment method the child used.
Next, contact the gaming company or app store. Tell them that a minor made the purchase without permission and ask whether they can reverse it.
Keep the payment receipt and transaction details. Save your messages with customer support too.
If the payment was unauthorised, contact the bank or payment provider.
Finally, change the payment settings so that the child cannot make another purchase without your approval.
Conclusion
So, can parents legally stop a child from spending money on gaming?
Yes. Parents can control their child’s access to payment methods and use parental controls to limit or approve gaming purchases.
Getting money back after a purchase is a different question.
A child’s age, the account owner, the payment method, parental permission and the platform’s rules can all matter. Consumer protection law may also help in cases involving unfair conduct or poor service.
If your child spends ₹20,000 without your permission, act quickly. Check the payment, contact the platform and keep your evidence.
Most importantly, set purchase limits before a problem happens.
A child may think they are buying a ₹200 skin.
The next bank alert could tell a very different story.
