Google has introduced a new feature allowing children to use Tap to Pay on Android phones via Google Wallet, with parental controls managed through Family Link. This update empowers kids with a convenient payment method while ensuring parents maintain oversight of their spending.
This kid-friendly Tap to Pay functionality mirrors Apple Pay’s approach, requiring in-person parental consent for adding debit or credit cards to the child’s Google Wallet. While kids can make in-store purchases using Tap to Pay, online transactions via Google Pay remain restricted until they reach the age of independent Google Account management.
Parental control features are central to this update. Parents receive email notifications for every Tap to Pay purchase made by their child. Family Link allows parents to monitor recent transactions, remove linked payment cards, and even disable access to Google Wallet entirely, providing a comprehensive suite of management tools.
Google Wallet screen asking a child to get their parentGoogle Wallet’s functionality extends beyond payment cards. Children can also add other essential items like library cards, gift cards, and event tickets, consolidating various necessities within a single digital wallet.
This expansion of Tap to Pay to Android phones for kids follows Google’s similar initiative for the Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch seven months prior. That feature, designed for younger children, enabled contactless payments using debit cards from providers like Greenlight and GoHenry, under parental supervision. The Google Wallet integration on Android aims to provide older children with phone access a comparable experience.
The rollout of Google Wallet’s Tap to Pay feature for kids is scheduled over the coming weeks in the US, UK, Australia, Poland, and Spain. This feature represents a significant step towards providing kids with financial autonomy while maintaining parental control and guidance.
