How to File a Complaint When a Game Targets Your Child: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

When a game targets your child, you don’t have to be powerless

Parents and caregivers are telling us the same painful story: an app advertised as “free” drains a child’s allowance, or aggressive prompts and opaque virtual currency lead to surprise charges. If that happened to your family, this guide walks you through the precise legal steps to hold companies accountable — from filing a consumer complaint with a regulator, to disputing charges, to assessing civil claims or class action options. We use the January 2026 investigations into Activision Blizzard by Italy’s Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) as a case study to show what regulators are looking for and how families can build a compelling case.

Why this matters now: the Activision Blizzard case and 2026 trends

In early 2026 the AGCM opened probes into allegations that popular mobile games used “misleading and aggressive” monetization techniques that particularly affected younger players. The regulator focused on design elements meant to prolong play, pressure users into purchases, and obscure the real value of virtual currency.

“These practices... may influence players as consumers — including minors — leading them to spend significant amounts, sometimes exceeding what is necessary to progress in the game and without being fully aware of the expenditure involved.” — AGCM, Jan 2026

Regulators worldwide stepped up scrutiny through late 2025 and into 2026. You should know that:

• Enforcement under the EU’s Digital Services Act and consumer protection rules has increased, with regulators examining dark-patterns and hidden pricing.
• National authorities (like AGCM, state Attorneys General in the U.S., the U.K.’s CMA and ASA) are coordinating more closely on manipulative app monetization aimed at children.
• Civil litigation — including class actions — is more likely when many families report similar harms and when payment records show repeated unauthorized or surprising charges.

High‑level path: From evidence to regulator to refund or claim

1. Collect and preserve evidence immediately.
2. File consumer complaints with relevant regulators and app stores.
3. Dispute charges via your bank, credit card issuer, or payment provider.
4. Assess civil remedies — small claims or litigation (possibly class action).
5. Use advocacy and media strategically to increase pressure.

Step 1 — Collect and preserve strong evidence (do this first)

Regulators and courts base decisions on documentation. Acting quickly preserves critical proof.

What to capture

• Screenshots and video: Record the flow that pushed purchases (time-stamped screenshots, screen recordings). Capture pop-ups, buttons that say “free” but funnel to purchases, countdown timers, and bundled offers.
• Transaction records: Save itemized receipts from the App Store / Google Play, bank statements, and payment-provider emails.
• Device logs: Note device model, OS version, app version (found in Settings > Apps). These matter if the company argues the behavior was fixed in a later update.
• Child statements: A simple written or recorded statement from the child (age-appropriate) describing what happened helps establish persuasion or confusion.
• Parental controls & account settings: Take screenshots of account family settings that show whether in-app purchases required authentication.
• Time and frequency: Log timestamps and frequency of in-app purchase prompts, especially if they occur during homework hours or late at night.

How to preserve evidence

• Do not delete the app immediately — it can preserve in-app purchase receipts and behavior patterns.
• Export purchase histories from Apple / Google account pages and from the child’s app profile where possible.
• Use cloud backups (email yourself screenshots) and print PDFs of crucial records.

Step 2 — File complaints with regulators and consumer agencies

Regulators can open investigations that lead to refunds, enforced policy changes, fines, or broader industry remedies. File where you live and where the company operates.

Who to complain to

• National consumer regulator — e.g., in Italy the AGCM; in the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles unfair/deceptive commercial practices.
• State Attorney General — U.S. state AG offices often have consumer divisions that prosecute local harms.
• App store platforms — Apple App Store and Google Play have complaint/report systems for apps and in-app billing problems.
• Industry-specific authorities — privacy regulators under GDPR for data-driven targeting, and youth-protection bodies (e.g., the U.K.’s ASA for advertising).

How to write a compelling complaint

Effective complaints are short, factual, and supported by evidence. Include:

• Clear identification: your name, contact info, child’s age, device, and app version.
• Chronology: exact dates, times and a concise narrative of how the purchases happened.
• Evidence list: attach screenshots, receipts, and exported purchase histories.
• Desired outcome: refund, investigation, removal of app, or policy change.

Sample complaint excerpt you can adapt:

“On [date], my [age]-year-old child downloaded [app]. The application repeatedly presented a timed ‘reward’ pop-up that redirected to a store where my child purchased virtual currency totaling €[amount] without realizing real money was spent. Attached are screenshots, the app receipt, and bank statement. I request an immediate refund and that the regulator investigate whether the app uses misleading design to target minors.”

Filing specifics — quick checklist

• Use the regulator’s online complaint portal and attach PDFs (prefer portals for faster tracking).
• If filing with multiple regulators, adapt the complaint to each jurisdiction — reference the AGCM if you’re in Europe or the FTC/state AGs in the U.S.
• Keep copies and note complaint reference numbers. Ask for updates and expected timelines.

Step 3 — Dispute charges with payment providers and app stores

While regulators investigate (which can take months), you can pursue immediate refunds through banks and app stores.

App store refunds

• Apple: Use Report a Problem (reportaproblem.apple.com) and file under “problem with purchase.” Provide your evidence and request a refund.
• Google Play: Request a refund through the Google Play order history or Google’s support channels. Document that the purchaser was a minor when the purchase occurred if relevant.

Bank chargebacks and payment disputes

• Contact your card issuer immediately and explain the transaction was made by a minor or was the result of deceptive practice. Provide receipts, screenshots and a written explanation.
• Be aware of timelines — many banks have a 60–120 day limit to file chargebacks. Act fast.
• Payment platforms (PayPal, Stripe) also have dispute processes; follow their evidence requirements closely.

Step 4 — Evaluate civil remedies: small claims, individual suits, and class actions

If regulators do not fully resolve your case or you want compensation, civil claims are a route. The right path depends on the amount and the number of similarly affected families.

Small claims court

• Appropriate for modest refund claims where court costs are low. You can often represent yourself.
• Bring documentation: transaction records, the app’s terms of service, screenshots, and a short timeline.

Individual lawsuits vs class action

• An individual suit may be right if you have substantial losses or strong evidence of negligence or fraud.
• A class action is efficient when many households suffer the same harm. Lawyers may file a class action if they see a common pattern (as often happens after regulator probes like AGCM’s).
• If you think you’re part of a larger pattern, contact consumer class-action firms — many offer free case evaluations.

Statute of limitations and jurisdiction

Action windows vary by country and state, so don’t wait. If the app company is based elsewhere, you may still sue where you live, but jurisdiction matters — consult a lawyer promptly.

Step 5 — Use advocacy, media, and community pressure strategically

Public attention accelerates regulator responses and company remediation.

• File a complaint with consumer NGOs and child advocacy organizations; they may publish findings or brief regulators.
• Use social media responsibly: share your experience with evidence and avoid defamation. Connect with other affected parents to amplify a coordinated complaint.
• Engage local media if the loss is significant — journalists often track consumer trends and regulator responses, increasing public scrutiny.

Privacy, COPPA, and targeted advertising concerns

If the app targeted your child using data-driven prompts, privacy regulators may be interested. In the U.S., the COPPA framework and state privacy laws can be relevant; in the EU & UK GDPR plus local data protection authorities may act against unlawful profiling of minors. Include any evidence of tracking or targeted offers in your complaint.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Don’t wait: Evidence vanishes and financial dispute windows close quickly.
• Don’t delete the app: Removing it can destroy valuable forensic data.
• Be specific: Vague complaints are less actionable. Pinpoint the mechanism (countdown, loot box, deceptive bundle) and provide proof.
• Be honest: Regulators and courts verify evidence. Contradictions harm credibility.

Advanced strategies & 2026 predictions

As of 2026, we expect a faster regulatory cycle and new remedies families can use:

• Mandatory transparency: Regulators will push for clear real‑money equivalence labels for virtual currency and item pricing — making it easier to calculate actual cost.
• Design pattern bans: Enforcement actions (like AGCM’s) may lead to formal restrictions on countdowns and manipulative scarcity tactics aimed at minors.
• Age verification & spending caps: Consumer protection proposals in late 2025 signaled support for default spending limits on underage accounts in some jurisdictions.
• Algorithmic accountability: Regulators will demand audits of AI-driven targeting that nudges children toward purchases.
• More coordinated class actions: As patterns emerge (e.g., common UX flows across millions of users), large-scale litigation will be a practical remedy for many families.

Evidence checklist — printable actions to take now

• Immediately take screenshots and a screen recording of the app flow that led to purchase.
• Export and save app-store receipts and emails.
• Request and save your bank/card transaction statements.
• Record a short statement from the child describing what they saw or clicked.
• File complaints with the app store and your payment provider within their time windows.
• Submit a consumer complaint to your national regulator and, if applicable, your state AG within 30 days.

Sample timeline of outcomes you can expect

1. Immediate (0–2 weeks): App store refund decisions or bank chargebacks; initial media posts.
2. Short term (1–3 months): Regulator acknowledges receipt and may open a case; larger banks may reverse charges.
3. Medium term (3–12 months): Investigations proceed; some systemic fixes or company policy statements may arrive.
4. Long term (12+ months): Fines, mandated remedies, or class-action settlements if regulators or plaintiffs establish systemic wrongdoing.

When to get a lawyer

Consider counsel if:

• Your loss is substantial or repeated.
• You want to join or start a class action.
• The company refuses refunds and the facts suggest deception, targeting of minors, or unfair trade practices.

Many consumer attorneys offer free initial consultations and work on contingency in class or significant individual matters.

Final takeaways — practical, immediate steps

1. Act now: Preserve evidence and file disputes within payment-provider timelines.
2. File a formal consumer complaint: Submit to the regulator in your country (or the app’s operating country) and to your state AG if in the U.S.
3. Use banks & app stores: Seek refunds and chargebacks concurrently while regulators investigate.
4. Consider broader action: If many families are affected, explore class-action counsel and coordinate evidence sharing.

Call to action

If your family was affected, start by preserving evidence today. We’ve prepared sample complaint language and a step‑by‑step evidence checklist to help you file with regulators and app stores — contact us or download the template on our site. If you need help assessing a potential claim or want to join other families reporting the same app, reach out for a free case review. You don’t have to navigate this alone — take the first step now to protect your child and hold developers accountable.

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