It used to be that you would want to hide your credit card away from your kids, but thanks to the advent of tap-to-pay and parental controls, now you can let them borrow your card info without worrying (as much) that they’ll go on an unauthorized shopping spree. According to information Google shared with 9to5Google, kids supervised through Family Link will soon be able to download and use the Google Wallet app to make in-person payments on Android phones.
The feature follows a similar function that used to be exclusive to the child-oriented Fitbit Ace LTE fitness tracker, and will require the child to enter a PIN, password, fingerprint, or use facial recognition before they can make their payment.
Notably, the feature won’t work for online payments, so there’s no need to worry about your child suddenly going power mad buying V-Bucks on your dime (unless they’re buying gift cards at the local Walgreens). It’s more intended to help them pay for lunch at school and things like that. Kids will also be able to store gift cards or event tickets in their Google Wallet, although IDs or health cards won’t work at launch.
Details are a little fuzzy as to how exactly enabling or placing restrictions on the feature will work (I’ve reached out to Google for more information), but in a statement provided to 9to5Google, the company said that parents will be able to use the Family Link app to supervise their kids’ tap-to-pay usage, where they’ll be able to approve new cards, remove cards, and view transaction history.
Ideally, I’d like the ability to have to approve every transaction before it goes through, although based on how tap-to-pay worked on the Fitbit Ace LTE, it’s unlikely that’s on the docket. That device also didn’t allow parents to set up spending limits for tap-to-pay, instead referring them to debit card providers, but it also limited tap-to-pay for kids to debit cards from either Greenlight or GoHenry. Google Wallet for kids on Android phones will instead allow them to use any payment card their parents approve, so it’s possible it might also offer additional features.
Google Wallet for kids on Android phones will launch in the United States (and other as-of-yet unnamed countries next year) before expanding further. Meanwhile, Apple already allows children to use tap-to-pay via Apple Cash Family, although that feature is limited to Apple Cash accounts, rather than allowing parents to add any payment cards they wish to their childrens’ tap-to-pay wallet.
