Google Wallet Introduces Supervised Balance for Teenagers

Google has introduced a new feature in its Google Wallet service that allows US parents to fund a supervised balance for their children and teens under 18. This balance can be used by minors to make payments with Google Pay on NFC-enabled Android phones or Wear OS devices, without the need for a separate bank account.

Parents have full control over this balance through Family Link, which enables them to transfer money, set spending limits, track transactions in real-time, and lock or unlock the balance as needed. Additionally, parents can review activity through transaction lists or receive push notifications when enabled.

The feature is designed to teach children responsible spending habits while keeping adult controls close by. However, it's essential for families to treat this tool as a product, not a service desk, and follow bank rules and scam hygiene guidelines.