Google already offers tools to parents and caregivers restrict purchases their children pay in the Play Store with the family payment method. The company is now introducing an additional feature that allows children to send a purchase request for approval by the family account manager when there is no current payment method.
Kids can request approval for both paid apps and in-app purchases if the family hasn’t set up a payment method. Once the family manager has received this request via notification (or in the request queue), they can use their own payment method, including Google Play gift cards, to approve the request and make the purchase. The administrator can view these requests in the Pending and History tabs.
Image Credits: Google
This method works best when you want to have complete control over your children’s purchases and family expenses. You can see all the apps and in-app purchases that kids interact with and reject the ones you think are harmful — or unnecessary for any reason.
Google has made a number of changes in recent months to better monitor how children interact with its services. In October, the company introduced a redesigned Family Link app with highlights, controls, and location tabs, in addition to a web version. Last month, it announced policy changes for the Play Store, tightening the requirements for an app to be certified as a “kids” app.
