Terms of Use
Critical Friend — Last updated: April 2026
Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using the Critical Friend app. By downloading or using the app, you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree, do not use the app.
1. About Critical Friend
Critical Friend is an AI-powered critical thinking app designed for children aged 7–14. It is developed and operated by Matthew Phillips ("we", "us", "our"). The app uses Anthropic's Claude AI to guide children through structured thinking conversations across a range of educational pathways.
2. Who Can Use This App
Critical Friend is intended for children aged 7–14. The app must be downloaded and set up by a parent or legal guardian (the "Account Holder"). By creating an account, the Account Holder confirms that they are the parent or legal guardian of the child using the app, and that they consent to their child's use of the app in accordance with these Terms.
Children do not create their own accounts. All accounts are created and managed by parents or guardians.
3. Subscription and Payment
Critical Friend offers a free tier and a paid subscription called Critical Friend Premium Monthly.
Free tier: Includes 5 AI conversations per month per child profile.
Critical Friend Premium Monthly: Provides up to 100 AI conversations. The subscription is billed monthly through your Apple ID. Pricing is displayed in the app and on the App Store at the time of purchase.
Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. You can manage and cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple ID account settings. No refund is provided for the unused portion of a subscription period.
Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Apple's standard terms apply to all in-app purchases.
4. AI Conversations
Critical Friend uses Anthropic's Claude AI to power conversations within the app. The AI is designed to ask questions and guide thinking — it does not provide factual answers or homework solutions.
AI responses are generated automatically and may occasionally be imperfect or unexpected. We review and refine the prompts that guide the AI's behaviour, but we cannot guarantee that every response will be perfectly appropriate in every context. Parents are encouraged to review conversation histories through the parent dashboard.
Conversations are stored securely and are accessible to the Account Holder through the parent dashboard. We do not use children's conversation content to train AI models.
5. Acceptable Use
The app is for personal, non-commercial educational use only. You agree not to misuse the app, attempt to circumvent any usage limits, reverse-engineer any part of the app, or use the app for any unlawful purpose.
Children should use the app under parental supervision. The parent dashboard is provided to help Account Holders monitor their child's activity.
6. Child Privacy
We take the privacy of children seriously. Our full Privacy Policy, which explains what data we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it, is available at https://www.audiosforimpact.com/privacy-policy.
We comply with applicable children's privacy laws including the UK GDPR and COPPA where applicable. We do not sell children's personal data to third parties.
7. Intellectual Property
All content in the app, including the owl characters, UI design, thinking pathways, and audio content, is owned by Matthew Phillips unless otherwise stated. You may not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of the app without our written permission.
8. Disclaimer of Warranties
Critical Friend is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not guarantee that the app will be available at all times, error-free, or that AI responses will always be accurate or appropriate. Use of the app is at your own risk.
9. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the app. Our total liability to you for any claim arising from use of the app shall not exceed the amount you paid for the subscription in the month in which the claim arose.
10. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the app or by email. Your continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.
11. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
12. Contact
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:Email: matt@criticalfriend.app
Country: England, United Kingdom
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 5 working days.