https://pumpkincatgames.com/ New and updated guides and pages for parents from Pumpkin Cat Games. 2026-10-24T00:00:00+00:00 Drew Harding https://pumpkincatgames.com/research/strings-attached#changelog-2026-10-24 2026-10-24T00:00:00+00:00

Strings Attached is a monthly study of the most popular kids' games on Google Play. It reads each listing and counts what comes attached: adverts, purchases, data sharing and account data. Each edition has its own page and PDF.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/research/strings-attached/uk/2026-10#changelog-2026-10-24 2026-10-24T00:00:00+00:00

Strings Attached UK, October 2026: 109 of the 121 most popular kids' games on Google Play UK come with at least one string attached (adverts, purchases, data sharing or account data). 84% charge for something; only 12 pass all four checks.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/are-mobile-games-safe-for-kids#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Are mobile games safe for kids? What modern free games do with data, ads, spending and chat, in Ofcom figures, and the three things parents can set up first.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/google-family-link#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

How to set up Google Family Link for kids' games: approve downloads and purchases, cap content by age rating and set time limits, and what Family Link can't do.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/app-permissions#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Which permissions a children's game should ask for: what camera, microphone, contacts and location access let a game do, the red flags, and how to check and revoke access on Android.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/in-app-purchases#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

How to stop in-app purchases on an Android phone or tablet: purchase approval in Google Family Link, purchase verification in Google Play, no saved cards, and how to ask Google Play for a refund.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/chat-and-strangers#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

How to turn off chat with strangers in children's games: switch chat off or to friends only, what Family Link can and can't do, and the family rule that matters most.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/ads-and-dark-patterns#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Dark patterns in children's games: the design tricks the FTC found in Fortnite, how ad-funded games collect data and use consent screens, and how to spot them with your child.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/pegi-ratings#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

PEGI age ratings on Google Play explained for parents: what the 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18 labels and content descriptors mean, how to cap ratings in Family Link, and what ratings can't tell you.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/screen-time#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

How much gaming is too much for a child: UK figures on time spent and gaming disorder, why games are hard to put down, the signs worth watching for, and three steps for healthy play.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/privacy-settings#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Privacy settings for children's gaming accounts: why many platforms are public by default, and a five-minute setup across Google, Roblox, PlayStation and Xbox.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/red-flags#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

The red flags that something's wrong in a child's online game: behavioural, technical and financial warning signs of grooming, how worried to be, how to talk about it, and when to report to CEOP.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/if-something-goes-wrong#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

What to do if something goes wrong in a child's online game in the UK: when to call 999, how to report grooming to CEOP, the NSPCC Helpline and Childline, Google Play refunds, and what to say to your child.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/talking-to-kids-about-gaming#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

How to talk to your child about online gaming safety: what parental controls can and can't do, why active mediation works, and conversation starters to save and share.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide/are-free-games-really-free#changelog-2026-10-23 2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Are free games really free? The business model behind free children's mobile games in four numbers, how they make money through ads, data and purchase flows, and what the alternative looks like.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide#changelog-2026-10-16 2026-10-16T00:00:00+00:00

Safe Play is a free 40-page PDF guide for parents on child safety in Android games: in-app purchases, chat with strangers, dark patterns, PEGI ratings, Family Link settings and what to do if something goes wrong. 54 cited sources, no email needed.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about https://pumpkincatgames.com/safe-play-parents-guide#changelog-2026-10-09 2026-10-09T00:00:00+00:00

Safe Play is a free 40-page PDF guide for parents on child safety in Android games: in-app purchases, chat with strangers, dark patterns, PEGI ratings, Family Link settings and what to do if something goes wrong. 54 cited sources, no email needed.

Drew Hardinghttps://pumpkincatgames.com/about