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See plans on the main pageHow Google decides who your app is for
In App content → Target audience and content you select age groups. As soon as any group under 13 is included, or the app is marked as directed at children in a region with its own definition, the Families policy applies in full. But the declaration is not the only input. Reviewers also judge whether the app appeals to children: the icon and screenshots, cartoon characters, simple games, "kids" or "ABC" in the name, bright primary colors, a toddler-level UI. If the app appeals to children and you declared adults only, Google calls it a target audience mismatch and asks you to either change the declaration or change the app.
Declaring a mixed audience (children and older users) is possible, but it adds requirements of its own, such as a neutral age screen and handling each age group according to its rules. Most vibe coders are better served by a clear decision: either build a children's app and meet the policy, or build for adults and look the part.
What the Families policy requires
- Ads
Certified ad networks only
Only ad SDKs from Google's self-certified families list, configured for child-directed treatment; no interest-based ads, no ads that are inappropriate for children, no ads disguised as content. The easiest compliant setup is no ads at all.
- Data
Minimal data, no advertising ID
No personal information from children without verifiable parental consent, no advertising ID, no precise location. Data safety must reflect this.
- Links
Parental gates on the way out
Links to websites, social networks, other apps and purchases must sit behind a gate a child cannot pass easily (a math question, a hold-to-continue, a parent PIN).
- Login
No social logins for children
Google or Facebook sign-in is for adults. Use a parent account or no account at all for the child part of the app.
- Content
Age-appropriate throughout
No mature content, no gambling mechanics, no user-generated content visible to children without strong moderation, and a content rating that matches.
- Quality
Teacher Approved is optional
The Teacher Approved program is a badge for high-quality children's apps, reviewed by educators after you publish. It is not required to pass review, and you apply from the Families section in Play Console.
Rules by audience declaration
| Adults only (13 and older) | Children included | |
|---|---|---|
| Ads | AdMob as usual, with content filters | Families-certified SDK with child-directed settings, or no ads |
| Data collection | Regular Data safety declaration | No advertising ID, no precise location, parental consent for personal data |
| Social features | Allowed with UGC policy compliance | Strongly limited; moderation and parental involvement required |
| External links and purchases | Normal | Behind a parental gate |
| Look and feel | Must not primarily appeal to children | Child-appropriate design expected |
| Review | Standard review | Additional Families review of the app and the listing |
I am very happy I bought this app! Extremely easy and great documentation. Was in contact with the customer service, they replied very quickly and very friendly. They solved my question within a day. 10/10 would recommend.
Make a children's app compliant with WebViewGold
The native side takes five minutes; the web side is where the work is.
Declare the audience truthfully
Select the age groups the app is really for. If it is for both children and parents, consider splitting into a parent dashboard (adults) and a child mode that follows the rules below.
Switch off ads and tracking in Config.java
Set
SHOW_BANNER_AD,SHOW_FULL_SCREEN_AD,ENABLE_REWARDED_ADSandUSE_FACEBOOK_ADSto false, andTRACKING_EVENTto false unless you have a consent flow for parents. If you must monetize with ads, use AdMob's child-directed configuration and only the certified network.Remove the advertising ID permission
With ads off, strip the Ad ID permission from the merged manifest as shown in the Data safety guide, then declare no advertising ID.
Drop sensitive permissions
Set
requireLocation,requireCameraandrequireRecordAudioto false unless the feature is essential and age-appropriate, and remove the manifest entries. Children's apps rarely justify any of them.Add parental gates in the web app
Ask your builder for a reusable gate component in front of external links, purchases and any contact form. Decide where external links open with
EXTERNAL_LINK_HANDLING_OPTIONSin Config.java (main WebView, in-app tab or system browser); whichever you choose, the gate sits in front of the link in your web app.Write a children's privacy section
State what you collect from children (ideally nothing), how parents can review or delete it, and which laws apply (COPPA, GDPR-K). Link it from the listing and inside the app.
Rate and submit
Complete the content rating for the child content, fill in Data safety accordingly, and submit. Expect the Families review to take a little longer than a standard review.
Mistakes we see
- A learning game for kids with the default AdMob interstitials from the template.
- Google sign-in as the only login in an app for six-year-olds.
- A "Share with friends" button that opens WhatsApp without a gate.
- Analytics scripts from the web app collecting identifiers from child users.
- Mixed audience declared without an age screen, so children see the adult version.
Frequently asked questions
My app is for parents, but the icon has a cartoon baby. Is that a problem?
It can be. Reviewers look at the overall impression. Make the icon and screenshots clearly address parents, and keep the target audience declaration at adults.
Can I use OneSignal push notifications in a children's app?
Push itself is allowed, but the data the push provider collects must comply with the Families rules and be declared. Keep notifications free of personalization and marketing to children, and check the provider's guidance for child-directed apps.
Can a children's app have in-app purchases?
Yes, behind a parental gate and clearly disclosed, using Google Play Billing (for example via RevenueCat in WebViewGold). Purchases must not be designed to pressure children.
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