Google Wallet finally gets kids features that iPhone families had for years
You can now teach your kid about money with their Android phone.
Google Wallet is getting new features for children. | Image by Google
Like it or not, at some point kids get their own smartphone, which comes with some widely discussed problems, but also some undeniable advantages. Google has just announced a new set of tools for its Wallet apps, which could make giving your child a Pixel 10a or another Android smartphone like a nice idea.
Google is launching a new Google Wallet set of features that will allow parents to set up a secure balance for their kids. The company says in a blog post that the features are meant to help parents teach their children good money habits as it gives them full oversight on the spendings.
Besides reviewing the full transaction history of their child, parents can also set specific spending limits and track transactions in real time. They can also lock and unlock the balance, which could be useful if the kid loses their device or the parent wants to enforce a “spending timeout.”
When kids are not in a spending timeout, they will be able to use their Android or Wear OS device to tap and pay everywhere Google Pay is accepted. Using the features doesn’t require opening a bank account.
Parents can control their kid’s balance and activity through Google’s Family Link, and transfer money from their account. Google says it’ll soon add an option for automated payments on a specific schedule. The update is already rolling out in the United States, and there’s no information about international availability.
Google Wallet’s new features are unlikely to ruffle Apple’s feathers. The company has been offering Apple Cash Family to iPhone users for years, allowing parents to send money to their kids and monitor their transactions.
Other companies, like FamZoo, Greenlight, and Revolut, allow parents to teach kids how to handle money by issuing them prepaid debit cards.
I like seeing Google taking care of apps that felt neglected for some time. This update comes on the heels of the recent transaction history unification and the customizable passes inside the app. While nothing groundbreaking, those are the types of updates that make owning an Android smartphone feel better.
Kids can now get money in Google Wallet
Google is launching a new Google Wallet set of features that will allow parents to set up a secure balance for their kids. The company says in a blog post that the features are meant to help parents teach their children good money habits as it gives them full oversight on the spendings.
Besides reviewing the full transaction history of their child, parents can also set specific spending limits and track transactions in real time. They can also lock and unlock the balance, which could be useful if the kid loses their device or the parent wants to enforce a “spending timeout.”
How often do you pay with your phone or smartwatch?
Spending the money is just as easy
When kids are not in a spending timeout, they will be able to use their Android or Wear OS device to tap and pay everywhere Google Pay is accepted. Using the features doesn’t require opening a bank account.
Parents can control their kid’s balance and activity through Google’s Family Link, and transfer money from their account. Google says it’ll soon add an option for automated payments on a specific schedule. The update is already rolling out in the United States, and there’s no information about international availability.
Other companies, like FamZoo, Greenlight, and Revolut, allow parents to teach kids how to handle money by issuing them prepaid debit cards.
Another nice update
I like seeing Google taking care of apps that felt neglected for some time. This update comes on the heels of the recent transaction history unification and the customizable passes inside the app. While nothing groundbreaking, those are the types of updates that make owning an Android smartphone feel better.
Check out the latest Google news:
Popular stories
Latest News
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: