GSF,

I don't think that was intended to be parenting advice. I believe it was intended to be advice about what to do with the gift cards. None of your stated objections seemed to be about parental approval, but instead about technical limitations.

My ten year old just yesterday asked me to redeem a $10 gift card. I reserve the right to require parental approval of any content (games, songs, movies, etc.) he might want to download on his iThingamabob, but it was his gift and - subject to that parental approval requirement - he ought to get to use it as he sees fit. Whether or not his purchases are also easily playable on my phone or other device is irrelevant.

The above is not parenting advice. It's just a parenting example.

xtn