A new study reveals that 75% of Australia's most popular children's apps contain deceptive features designed to manipulate kids into spending money. Apps like Pet Doctor use emotional tactics, such as showing distressed characters that can only be helped through in-app purchases, exploiting children's vulnerability and inability to distinguish between gameplay and advertisements. Child psychologists recommend parents enable password protection for all purchases and actively play these games with their children to understand the manipulative tactics, particularly for the most vulnerable age group of 5-8 year olds who lack the developmental skills for impulse control and critical thinking about digital advertising.

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