Here’s something most people never learn until it costs them money: in the eyes of the law, kids under 18 generally can’t be held to most contracts they sign. The legal term is disaffirmance — and it basically means a minor can say “I’m not honoring this” and, in most cases, the contract falls apart.
The key word there is “most.” Contracts for necessities — food, shelter, medical care — are a different story. But app purchases, online subscriptions, game accounts, and similar digital agreements? Those typically aren’t necessities. Which means they’re usually voidable.
Voidable doesn’t mean automatically void. It means the minor has the option to cancel it. And according to Nolo, the minor just has to make their intention clear — in words, in writing, or through actions that show they’re not going to honor the agreement. They don’t need a lawyer. They don’t need to go to court. They just have to say so.
A few important things to know, though: these rules aren’t identical in every state. What counts as a “necessity,” how disaffirmance has to be communicated, and whether the minor has to return what they received (say, a product or access to a service) can all vary depending on where you live. Some states also require disaffirmance to happen within a certain window — typically before or shortly after the minor turns 18. This is why it’s worth checking the rules in your state or talking to someone who knows local law before assuming a specific outcome.
So why does this matter to parents? Because if your kid made purchases or agreed to terms on your account — or even their own — you may be sitting on charges that can be disputed. The flip side is also real: if a child used a parent’s payment info without permission, that’s a different situation, and the parent may be on the hook for those unauthorized charges depending on how the platform handles it.
Platforms know this, by the way. That’s a big reason why services ask for parental consent before letting kids under 13 sign up for things. They’re trying to get a legally capable adult — you — to be the one actually agreeing to the terms.
If you’re a parent and your kid racked up charges on an app or subscription they signed up for themselves, it’s worth contacting the platform directly and referencing their age. Many companies have policies specifically for this. And if you’re a teen who agreed to something and wants out, stating clearly that you’re a minor and you’re disaffirming the contract is a legitimate move — not just a technicality. Just keep in mind that the specifics depend on your state, and in some cases you may be asked to return whatever benefit you received from the agreement.