Google has introduced a major update to its Google Wallet service, allowing kids with Android phones to tap to pay at stores in select countries. The new feature, announced on Wednesday, is now available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, and Poland. This marks a significant step in enabling digital payments for children while maintaining parental supervision and security measures.
With this update, kids can use Google Wallet not only for in-store purchases but also to access supported passes, including event tickets, library cards, and gift cards. This expansion of Google Wallet’s capabilities ensures that younger users have secure access to digital transactions without compromising safety or control.
Google emphasizes that a payment card can only be added with explicit parental consent. Whenever a child makes a transaction using Google Wallet, parents will receive an email notification, keeping them informed about their child’s spending activity. Additionally, parents can use Google’s Family Link—the company’s parental control app—to track purchases, remove payment cards, and disable access to passes if needed.
To ensure further security, kids will not be able to use Google Wallet for online transactions, limiting their spending to physical, in-store purchases only. This restriction helps prevent unauthorized online shopping and adds an extra layer of protection for both children and parents.
Setting up Google Wallet for kids is a simple process. The child and their parent need to open the Wallet app on the child’s Android phone and select “Add to Wallet” at the bottom left of the screen. From there, they choose the “Payment card” option and tap “New credit or debit card.” The app will then prompt the parent to verify their identity by logging into their Google Account before adding a payment card. Once verification is complete, the child can immediately start using Google Wallet for in-store purchases.
This feature was first announced by Google last month as part of its efforts to introduce digital payment solutions for younger users. While Google has not yet confirmed plans to expand the feature to more regions, this initial rollout provides valuable insights into how digital payments for children can be safely integrated into everyday life.
By launching Google Wallet for kids, Google is not only modernizing the way young users interact with money but also reinforcing parental controls and security features that ensure a safe experience. As digital transactions become more prevalent, this update offers a controlled, supervised way for kids to learn about financial responsibility while making cashless purchases.
The introduction of Google Wallet for kids aligns with the growing global trend of digital payment adoption. With cashless transactions becoming the norm, this move by Google positions the company as a leader in secure, family-friendly digital payments. As more users embrace mobile wallets, it remains to be seen how Google will further enhance the Wallet experience and expand access to more countries in the future.
