5-Year-Old's $3,000 Amazon Shopping Spree Highlights Mobile Browsing Risks

Jessica Nunes of Westport, Massachusetts, was taken aback when she discovered her 5-year-old daughter, Lila Varisco, had amassed nearly $3,000 in Amazon purchases using her mobile phone.

While Nunes believed Lila was engaged in a harmless game, the child navigated the Amazon app, ordering multiple items, including ten motorcycles and ten pairs of cowgirl boots.

This incident underscores the potential risks associated with unsupervised mobile browsing by children.

Similar occurrences have been reported nationwide.

In 2018, a 6-year-old girl from Utah ordered $350 worth of toys from Amazon without her parents' knowledge.

In another case, a 5-year-old girl from Massachusetts spent nearly $4,000 on Amazon while playing on her mother's phone.

These incidents highlight the ease with which children can make unauthorized purchases through mobile devices.

To prevent such situations, experts recommend implementing parental controls, enabling purchase restrictions, and educating children about the value of money and the importance of seeking permission before making online transactions.

As mobile browsing becomes increasingly accessible to younger users, proactive measures are essential to safeguard against unintended expenses.