Google Play now lets kids send purchase requests to tutors • TechCrunch

Google already offers tools for parents and guardians to restrict the purchases their children make on the Play Store using the family payment method. The company is now introducing an additional feature that will allow children to send a purchase request to the family account manager for approval when there is no current payment method.

Kids can request approval for paid apps and in-app purchases when the family hasn’t set up a payment method. Once the family manager receives this request through a notification (or in their request queue), they can use their own payment method, including Google Play gift cards, to approve the request and make the purchase. The manager can view these requests under the pending and history tabs.

This method works best when you want to have complete control over your children’s purchases and family expenses. You can see all apps and in-app purchases children interact with and opt out of any that you think are harmful or unnecessary for any reason.

Google has introduced a number of changes in recent months to better monitor how children interact with its services. In October, the company rolled out a redesigned Family Link app with highlights, controls, and location tabs in addition to granting it a web version. Last month, it announced policy tweaks for the Play Store, tightening the requirements for an app to be certified as a “kids” app.