Minors’ use of phones and apps

If you as a parent want to sign a subscription for a minor child or youth, the operators offer different options. Consider the need and purpose of the subscription before signing a contract. Remember that when you sign a contract for a mobile subscription for another user, minor or otherwise, it is still you who, according to the subscription terms, is responsible for paying costs for calls, SMS, data traffic, and various purchases.

Page summary

When you sign up for a mobile subscription for a minor, you are always responsible for the payment of usage, whether it concerns calls, SMS, data traffic, or purchases in apps and games. To avoid unexpected costs, you can use blocking services and parental controls, both via the user account, the operator, and settings in the mobile phone or apps. There are special subscriptions and smartwatches adapted for children, and it is important to consider the child’s needs before making your choice.

Consider that a mobile subscription allows for in-app purchases

Depending on the level of responsibility you believe the child can handle, there are different blocking services you can use to prevent unforeseen costs. Make sure that the blocks you want to add are activated, as this does not always happen automatically.

The operator may offer additional security measures and optional services suitable for children’s subscriptions. Please check this with the operator and see what they recommend for any measures.

There may be options to limit how the child can use their mobile phone and subscription through various features, such as settings in the child’s mobile phone and in your user account. Settings and restrictions can also be made in individual apps.

Frequently asked questions

How can I find out which company has charged me for a premium rate service?
On the invoice from the operator, according to the rules decided by the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), there should be contact information for the company responsible for a mediated service. Usually, there is a phone number for the company’s customer service on the invoice. If there is no phone number, you can contact...
Money is being deducted from my mobile bill by a company I don’t recognise – why?
Premium rate services are services billed via the phone bill from the operator but performed by another company. When the operator charges for a mediated service, the usual call or SMS cost goes to the operator, while the cost of the actual service goes to the company that provides the mediated service, the service provider....
Are minors allowed to use premium rate services or make other types of purchases via a mobile subscription?
The legal situation is not entirely clear when it comes to minors’ use of premium telecommunication services. It is the responsibility of the subscription holder to cover the costs incurred from telephony, including premium calls, in-app purchases, other premium telecommunication services, and international calls. If the subscription holder lends the phone to someone else, partner,...
What is a premium rate/third-party/other service on the invoice?
The bill may pertain to purchases made with the phone, such as chat and dating services, competitions, or various mobile services like ringtones. On the invoice, they are often referred to as mediated services with numbers that usually start with 0900-, 0939-, 0944-, 099- or five-digit short numbers, for example, 72 111. If your complaint...
What can I do if I’ve received a business subscription even though I’m a private individual?
If you believe you have received a business subscription agreement despite considering yourself a consumer, you should send an email or a letter to the operator as soon as possible and point this out. Save a copy. If you were called and the agreement was made over the phone, you can primarily argue that the...
How do I accept in writing?
If a contract is to be concluded as a result of the operator contacting you, they must send a confirmation of their offer to you. The contract is then concluded when you accept this offer in writing. If you decline the offer already during the phone call, the operator should not send any confirmation to...
Is the provider allowed to charge an invoice fee?
If the operator charges an invoice fee, it must be stated in the agreement. The invoice fee should be stated in the agreement or the operator’s price list. Most operators offer alternatives to sending out paper bills such as e-invoice or direct debit. If you choose one of these options, you can often avoid paying...
I haven’t received a bill – do I still have to pay?
It is important to know that you must pay regardless of whether you have received a bill or not. Therefore, contact the operator if you have not received a bill in accordance with the agreement. An operator has the right to charge you retroactively for up to three years. Therefore, it is very important that...
My invoice from the provider says I’ve purchased third-party or other services from a company I’ve never heard of. What is this?
Premium rate services are services charged via the phone bill from the operator but performed by another company. When the operator charges for a mediated service, the usual call or SMS cost goes to the operator, while the cost of the actual service goes to the company providing the mediated service, the so-called service provider....
I’ve been charged for calls to premium rate numbers I don’t recognise – what should I do?
It may be appropriate to first find out which company is behind the payment number on the invoice, as that knowledge can be useful when trying to figure out what has happened. The operator should provide contact details for the service/company that charged on the invoice. If you have been charged for premium calls that...

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