Technology accounted for 30 per cent of the more than $30 billion spent over the Christmas period with iPads and iPhones the most in-demand gifts.
According to the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) we spent $29.1 billion in the lead-up to Christmas and an estimated $2 billion in the Boxing Days sales.
Technology accounted for $9.45 billion of our Christmas spending with tablets and smartphones – and in particular iPads and iPhones – at the top of the list.
With the multitude of new devices being activated on Christmas Day it’s no wonder that period corresponds with the highest ever downloads for apps.
On Christmas Day in 2012 there were more 328 million apps downloaded according to analysts firm Flurry and this year’s figures are expected to easily exceed that.
But there is a downside to this experience especially for some parents who gifted their children a smartphone or tablet.
As is often the case, parents usually set up the device using their own accounts.
But there have been many cases where the child has run wild with app downloads and in-app purchases which are being rung up on the account’s credit card and resulting in a massive bill.
Parents can avoid this from happening by following a few tips.
* Set up a dedicated Apple ID or Google Play accounts for the kids that are not linked to a credit card.
* Disable in-app purchases.
* Enable Parental Controls. On an iPhone or iPad you can find them by going to Settings > General > Restrictions. Select enable restrictions and choose a four-digit passcode to secure it.
* Remind your kids there is a real cost involved when downloading apps and making in-app purchases.
* Set a monthly allowance of credit for your children so that they learn to manage their own budgets.
* On iTunes there is a parental guide which can be found here.
Thumbnail image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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