Children's allowances are no longer always handed out in cash. Some families are starting to use bank transfers, digital wallets, or digital payment features to send money for meals, transportation, and school needs.
It's convenient, but there's something often overlooked: children are not just learning to spend money, but also learning to use accounts, keep PINs secure, read notifications, and make decisions when faced with links or payment requests. Therefore, providing access to digital payments should be accompanied by clear family rules.
Don't start with the app, start with the habits
A common mistake parents make is choosing the app first, then hoping the child will be safe automatically. In fact, the app is just a tool. Daily habits remain the most important layer of protection.
For example, children need to understand that OTP codes, PINs, passwords, and verification codes are not information to be shared with friends, sellers, or anyone claiming to be a service agent. Children should also know that messages with phrases like "your balance will be blocked" or "prizes must be claimed now" are reasons to stop and ask, not to click immediately.
These rules may sound simple, but they should be discussed before children are given access. Don't wait until a mis-transfer or account issue occurs.
Create an account or digital wallet with a clear purpose
Digital allowances are easier to monitor if their use has a purpose. Differentiate, for example, money for meals and transportation from money for entertainment or online shopping.
Parents can make agreements such as the following:
- Money for meals and transportation cannot be used to buy games or other items.
- Expenses above a certain amount must be discussed first.
- In-app purchases cannot be made without permission.
- Every transaction needs to be checked through the payment history.
- If there is a mis-transfer, fraud, or loss of a phone, the child must report it immediately without fear of being scolded.
The last point is very important. A child who is afraid of being scolded tends to hide problems, while delays in reporting can increase losses.
Teach verification before payment
In digital payments, a single tap can complete a transaction. Therefore, get children into the habit of doing a quick check before pressing the confirm button.
- Check the recipient's name or merchant name.
- Check the payment amount.
- Ensure the item or service matches what they want to buy.
- Double-check the source of the payment request.
- Keep proof of transactions related to school, travel, or important purchases.
Bank Indonesia also reminds QRIS users to ensure the merchant name that appears in the app matches the name of the place or seller. A QR code is not automatically safe just because it looks neat or is sent by someone known. Risks such as fake QR codes and quishing, which is fraud using QR codes to direct victims to dangerous sites or accounts, still need to be watched out for.
For payments at the cashier, teach children to not only look for the word "successful," but also to ensure the recipient's name and amount are correct. For payments via links, it's better to open the official app manually rather than entering through a link sent via message.
Use parental controls as a fence, not a spying tool
If children use Android devices, Google Family Link provides several settings to manage apps, screen time limits, content filters, and app approvals. Parents can also set it so that permissions for certain apps can only be granted by parents.
However, these controls do not replace conversation. Family Link can help limit certain apps or purchases, but it cannot teach children to distinguish between legitimate sellers and scammers, or understand why PINs should not be shared.
Use technical settings to reduce foreseeable risks, such as:
- Enable parental approval for app installations.
- Limit in-app purchases.
- Review apps that have access to location, camera, microphone, and contacts.
- Use time limits for entertainment apps so that devices do not take over children's routines.
- Ensure the child's account uses a password that is different from the parent's account.
It should be noted that Google Family Link's purchase approval settings apply to purchases through the Google Play payment system. Transactions in other services still require separate settings and supervision.
Create an easy-to-remember "emergency procedure"
Children do not need to memorize long guides. Create a three-step procedure that can be posted near their study desk or kept in the family notes:
- Stop: do not continue the transaction or reply to messages.
- Check: look at the recipient's name, amount, website address, and reason for the request.
- Ask: contact parents through a saved number, not a number or link provided by suspicious parties.
If the phone is lost, an account is accessed by someone else, or unknown transactions appear, parents need to secure the account immediately: block the card or digital wallet if available, change the password, log out of the account from unknown devices, and contact the service provider through its official channels.
Make transaction records a learning tool
Do not treat transaction history merely as a tool for finding faults. Spend time once a week to review spending patterns with the child. Ask, "Which expenses are truly necessary?" or "What could be planned better for next week?"
From this, children learn to distinguish between needs and wants, understand the limits of the money they have, and see the consequences of small decisions. Parents can also find out whether the allowance amount is appropriate or too large.
The goal of digital allowances is not to monitor every transaction of the child, but to train them to make decisions safely before their financial freedom grows.
What can be done now
Start with one account and one simple rule. Write down with the child the limits of usage, the prohibition of sharing PINs or OTPs, and the steps to take if problems occur. After that, conduct a brief simulation: show examples of scam messages, payment QR codes, and transaction confirmation pages.
Technology will continue to change, but the principles remain the same: stop before rushing, check before paying, and tell someone immediately when something feels off. These habits will be more useful than just installing monitoring apps.
Sources & further reading
- Bank Indonesia – Digital Financial Education Module: Financial Transactions
- Bank Indonesia – QRIS FAQ
- Google For Families – Manage parental controls
- Google For Families – Manage your child’s app permissions
- Ministry of Communication and Digital – TUNAS Family Program Protecting Children from Digital Space Dangers
– Rio Yotto @rioyotto