Ads & safety
Common ad types
You’ll usually see these 3
- Banner ads: small ads shown on screen while playing.
- Interstitial ads: full-screen ads between rounds.
- Rewarded ads: optional “watch an ad to unlock X.”
Kid-specific risk: young kids can’t reliably tell what’s an ad vs what’s a game button.
What to watch for
- Ads placed right next to the main gameplay button (easy mis-taps).
- “Fake close” buttons or tiny X icons that keep kids stuck.
- Links that push kids out of the app to external sites.
Parent safety checks
Practical checklist
- Prefer apps with no “tap here” ad traps near gameplay buttons.
- Avoid apps that send kids to external websites or app stores from ads.
- Turn off personalized ads when possible and use child-directed settings.
- Keep device-level parental controls enabled (where available).
- Watch 1–2 minutes of play yourself before handing it to your child.
Sources
- U.S. FTC: COPPA rule overview and resources. View source
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): media guidance emphasizing content quality and balance for preschoolers. View source