Summary
Google Wallet just got a whole lot more family-friendly. Now, it’s easier to give your kids a little bit of freedom to use digital payments while still keeping a watchful eye on their spending.
Google Wallet now lets parents in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Spain, and Poland give their kids access to digital payments on their Android devices–with the right amount of supervision. No more fumbling with cash or asking you to make a payment when they forget their card. Plus, they can keep all their important passes in one spot. That includes event tickets, library cards, and those gift cards they got for their birthday. It’s all neatly organized in their digital wallet.
Obviously, no one wants to make iteasierfor their kids to go on a spending spree, especially when it might not be their own money. Google has included some safeguards for this reason. Only an adult can add a child’s payment cards, and you’ll get an email every time they make a purchase. It’s essentially a digital receipt sent straight to your inbox.
On top of that, you can track their recent purchases, remove payment cards if needed, and even turn off access to passes, all from the Google Family Link app. This puts a lot of financial control in your hands that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.
This comes a month after Google rolled out a pretty nice overhaul of the Family Link app. It added the ability to block specific apps during designated school hours, ensuring they’re not a distraction. you’re able to create a custom block schedule tailored to your child’s school routine.
Beyond app blocking, the update introduced a “Highlights” tab. This gives you a quick overview of your child’s app usage and screen time, helping you identify potential problem areas. You can also see which apps are being used most frequently and for how long.
The update also polished the existing “Bonus Time” feature. You can now grant extra screen time in smaller increments, allowing for more flexibility. This is handy for those moments when your child needs a few extra minutes to finish a task or wind down.
Overall, Google’s Family Link app has been much improved over the last year. This new Google Wallet feature gives kids a chance to learn about managing money in the digital age while parents can rest assured that they’re still in charge. It’s a win-win for everyone, honestly.
