Is Subway Surfers App Safe For My Kids?

Are your little ones obsessed with Subway Surfers? We don't blame them! Subway Surfers is a wildly popular mobile game that has captured the hearts and imaginations of kids and adults worldwide. This endless runner game can keep anyone on their toes, providing hours of entertainment and excitement.

In this blog, we'll delve into the world of Subway Surfers and explore its safety features, benefits, and potential concerns. We'll address the big question on every parent's mind: Is Subway Surfers safe for my child? And also provide you with the information you need to decide whether this game suits your child. So, let's dive in!

What’s Subway Surfers All About?

Subway Surfers is a single-player, fast-paced endless runner game developed by Kiloo and SYBO Games. It has gained immense popularity among players of all ages, especially children, thanks to its colorful graphics and addictive gameplay. In this game, you'll step into the shoes of Jake or his friends, who paint graffiti on the walls of trains and are chased by a grumpy inspector and his dog. Jake and his friends must save themselves by running away from them by navigating through obstacles on the subway tracks.

Some Startling Facts About Subway Surfers:

• Subway Surfers launched on the 24th of May, 2012, and is available on Android, iOS, and the Web.

• Subway Surfers had 35 million daily active users and 140 million monthly active users in 2022.

• Subway Surfers has been downloaded more than four billion times since its launch, making it the most downloaded mobile game.

*Reference – Business of Apps.

The goal of Subway Surfers is simple: run as far as you can while avoiding obstacles and collecting coins along the way. Your character starts off running automatically, and you control their movements by swiping left, right, up, or down.  As you dash through the subway tracks, you'll encounter various obstacles to dodge. From trains rushing by to barricades and roadblocks, you must have quick reflexes and make split-second decisions to avoid crashing. It would help if you also keep a watch for power-ups like jetpacks, magnets, and hoverboards that can help you navigate the tracks more easily and collect even more coins.

Speaking of coins, collecting them is a major part of the game. The more coins you gather, the higher your score and the more customization options you unlock. You can use these coins to purchase new characters, hoverboards, and fabulous outfits to personalize your gaming experience. But beware! The grumpy inspector and his trusty dog are hot on your heels. If you dash on any obstacles, they catch up to you, and the game ends. 

Subway Surfers Age Rating

The developers suggest a minimum age of 9, and Common Sense Media recommends it for kids above 10. ACCM ( Australian Council on Children and the Media) recommends that children below 13 shouldn't play and between 13 to 15 years old should play under parental guidance.

Subway Surfers is a game that's free from gambling and adult content. The game revolves around a simple concept: you play as a character who's constantly running to avoid getting caught by the police. But here's the thing—some parents might have concerns about the game's portrayal of breaking the law. On the title screen, you can see the character being a bit sneaky with graffiti on trains. He also looks around cautiously, like he knows he shouldn't be doing it. At the end of the day, every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. So, as a parent, take the time to dive into the game, see what it's all about, and then decide whether it's suitable for your kid.

What Makes Subway Surfers Exciting for Kids?

• Non-stop Fun and Thrills: The game's endless runner concept keeps kids engaged as they dash through the subway tracks, dodging obstacles and collecting coins. With each run, they'll face new challenges, and the constant action and adrenaline rush make Subway Surfers a thrilling adventure for young players.

• Engaging Graphics and Captivating Gameplay: Subway Surfers has captured kids' hearts because of its engaging graphics and captivating gameplay. Everything is visually appealing and designed to spark the imagination, from the colorful landscapes to the unique character designs. 

• Ease to play: Players swipe fingers on the screen to control the character's movements (swipe left and right to move, swipe up to jump, and swipe down to roll under obstacles). These user-friendly controls make it a breeze for kids to dive right into the game and have an absolute blast!

What Is Concerning About Subway Surfers?

• Screen addiction:  Like many mobile games, Subway Surfers can be addictive. Since the game has no end, children will be curious for more! They may develop a strong attachment to the game and spend excessive time playing, which can impact their daily routines, academics, and social interactions. 

• In-app Purchases: The basic game is free, but you need to make in-app purchases to access all the exciting stuff. Subway Surfers offers optional in-app purchases for virtual currencies, challenges, power-ups, score boosts, and character upgrades. This can lead to spontaneous spending if children have access to their parents' payment information. 

• In-App Advertisements: While Subway Surfers features child-friendly advertisements, they can still be a source of distraction for young players. The interesting part is that they offer rewards for watching advertisements! These rewards can help you to earn digital coins or score boosters. Kids may be tempted to click on ads, leading them outside the game or exposing them to inappropriate content.

How Can Parents Make Subway Surfers Safe For Kids?

• Set your child's right age: When you first open the app after installing it, you'll be prompted to enter your child's age. Make sure your little one enters their correct age and doesn't try to pose as an adult. Entering the right age when playing Subway Surfers helps children access age-appropriate content, receive personalized features and settings, and benefit from enhanced safety measures explicitly designed for their age group. Also, this will prevent your kids from connecting their game accounts to Facebook to compete with their friends.

• Keep online payment secured: Kids can sometimes get a little bored with the basic gameplay and crave that extra excitement of going on a world tour or unlocking a cool new character. And that's where the temptation for in-app purchases comes into play. Unmonitored purchases can lead to some serious overspending. To keep things in check, turn off in-app purchases and never share your passwords to prevent unauthorized access to your online payment platforms.

• Set screen time using Mobicip: Encourage balanced and responsible gaming habits by setting up screen time with Mobicip. Mobicip is a comprehensive parental control app that helps you monitor your child's online activities and build healthy digital habits. With Mobicip, you can limit screen time, filter the internet, monitor social media, block apps, track location, and so much more. Here's how Mobicip's screen time scheduler can work for your family:

• Set screen time limits: Restrict access to apps and websites by setting daily screen time allowed for entertainments like games, social media and movies.
• Create schedules: Set schedules for activities like school, homework and sleep to ensure productive learning and healthy habits. Block specific apps and websites, and manage screen time during a schedule.
• Pause all devices: Get your family's undivided attention and spend quality time together by locking all devices instantly.

Alright, folks, we've reached the end of our thrilling Subway Surfers adventure! And let me tell you; it's been quite a ride. So, what's the verdict? Is Subway Surfers safe for our little ones? We think so! Subway Surfers has taken some serious measures to make sure our kids have a blast while staying secure. With its child-friendly content, colorful graphics, and engaging gameplay, it's a game designed with their enjoyment and safety in mind. And also the privacy measures that give us parents the power to manage in-app purchases and protect our little gamers' personal information.

But we can't ignore the challenges that come; in-app purchases, advertisements, and screen time management can be tricky. That's why it's important for us parents to step up and set boundaries. Let's establish those limits, keep an eye on our kids' gaming habits, and have those all-important conversations about online safety. Today, create a balance that allows your child to enjoy the exciting world of Subway Surfers while staying safe and responsible by starting a free trial of Mobicip Parental Control App. Stay safe, stay adventurous!

Written by Reshmita Das

Written by Reshmita Das, the editor of Mobicip blogs and a dedicated advocate for children’s online safety.