Google is finally making good on its promise to expand Google Wallet to kids of all ages, a feature that was initially announced in October last year. No longer will your child have to interrupt your afternoons with pleas for cash or your own bank card. Instead, parents can send their little ones on the way with nothing but an Android smartphone loaded up with Google Wallet (although a few funds wouldn’t go amiss, either).
Google’s not kidding around
“Rolling out over the next few weeks, kids can use Google Wallet to securely tap to pay in stores and keep supported passes like event tickets, library cards and gift cards in one convenient place,” Google wrote in a blog post announcing the feature’s expansion.
Simply using Google Wallet isn’t enough. Kids first need to get their parent’s consent (and help) before they can make purchases with their smartphones. Taking security a step further, parents will be notified of each purchase made through their child’s Google Wallet account. If that isn’t enough, parents can keep an eye on transaction history, remove cards, and even disable access to certain passes remotely using Google’s Family Link.
Read More: Google Gemini’s new ‘Add to Calendar’ function hopes to save you a few clicks
Google Wallet for Kids isn’t limited to virtual banking cards. They’ll have access to all their usual passes, such as library cards, concert tickets, and even gift cards – all of which can be accessed right from the Google Wallet app (Android). Google also notes that children will be limited to making purchases in person, and will be blocked when attempting to purchase anything online. Sorry, no V-bucks for you, Timmy.
Unfortunately, Google Wallet for kids is currently only limited to families in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Spain, and Poland, with no word on when we might see a rollout elsewhere. When the feature does finally reach South Africa’s shores, Google has set up a handy ‘how-to’ page to get interested parents and their child’s virtual banking card ready to go.
