Google is expanding its digital wallet services to include a version specifically designed for children, set to launch in 2025. This initiative allows kids, under parental supervision via the Family Link app, to perform tap-to-pay transactions using NFC and biometrics.
The new Google Wallet for kids will enable users to store gift cards, event tickets, and contactless payment cards. Each addition to the wallet must be approved by parents, who can monitor transactions and remove previously approved cards. However, the wallet will not support digital IDs or online purchases.
Authentication can be done through a PIN, password, or biometric methods such as fingerprint or facial recognition. This move follows a similar feature introduced earlier this year in Google's Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch for children, which has reportedly been well-received.
Strategically, this expansion positions Google as a familiar digital payment platform for young users, paving the way for their entry into consumer adulthood. The topic of children's digital wallets has gained some traction, notably in the EU's Better Internet for Kids (BIK+) strategy released in 2022.