Why Your Child’s App Requests May Be Getting Denied and How to Address It photo 4
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Why Your Child’s App Requests May Be Getting Denied and How to Address It

Why You Might Not Be Getting Your Child’s App Requests

As a parent, ensuring your child’s online safety and privacy is one of your top priorities. That’s why setting up family linking and app permissions in your Google account is so important. However, from time to time, parents report not receiving app requests from their kids as expected. As a tech support specialist, I’ve assisted many parents who were puzzled as to why their approval was needed and yet no notification arrived. Here are some of the most common reasons this can occur, along with steps you can take to resolve it.

Checking Parental Controls and Settings

The first thing to check is whether parental controls and permissions are properly configured in your Google account. From my experience helping parents, simple issues with settings are often to blame. Make sure “Require authentication for purchases” is enabled under Family Link. You should also verify that the correct child account is linked and all installed apps show “Request permission” rather than “Allowed.” Sometimes toggling these options on and off can resolve glitches. It’s also worth checking for any filters or blocks on notifications from the Google Play Store app.

Issues with Notifications or the Google Play Store App

Problems receiving notifications are surprisingly common. Ensure all notifications are enabled for the Google Play Store app itself. On Android, check the app isn’t optimized, which could prevent banners. Also clear the cache and force stop the app. On iOS, make sure notifications aren’t blocked for the app in Settings. Bugs within the app causing notification failures unfortunately do occur from time to time in my experience. Keep the app updated and reinstall it as a last resort.

Outdated Devices or Operating Systems

Older devices tend to experience more issues with apps and connectivity due to lacking hardware or outdated software. If yours or your child’s device is several years old, bugs and glitches are more probable. Ensure everything is updated to the latest operating system and all apps have the most recent version. The same applies to using an obsolete or insecure browser – stick to the latest Chrome, Safari, Firefox etc. to avoid compatibility problems.

Issues with Google Play Family Link Setup

On rare occasions, hiccups happen during the initial Family Link setup process that can interfere with permissions and requests down the line. Double check that Family Link was correctly configured for the child’s device and Google account. Try re-adding the child account to Family Link and re-linking any devices. It may also help to sign out and back into both parent and child Google accounts. Bugs are always a possibility when using technology, after all!

Temporary Network or Server Issues

  1. Spotty WiFi or cellular connectivity could cause request notifications to fail to transmit.
  2. Rarely, temporary glitches on Google’s servers may delay or block notifications from being sent or received.

Typically retrying the request after improving the network situation resolves the issue. But intermittent problems are outside anyone’s control. Have patience – things should start working properly again soon.

Mishaps with Multiple Accounts or Devices

Where families share devices or a parent has multiple Google accounts signed in, confusion may arise. Double check that app permission requests are going to the right parent Google account. Sign out extraneous accounts if possible. You could also try having your child initiate the request while you are signed into your primary parent account on another device to eliminate any factors associated with shared devices.

The Request May Have Been Denied or Timed Out

It’s possible the request came through as expected, but you inadvertently denied it or let it time out without responding. Go back and check your purchase approval history just in case. Kids are impatient too, so they may have given up waiting and reinstalled the app without permission. Communicate with your child to problem solve.

Seeking Expert Help if Issues Persist

If you’ve thoroughly checked all possible causes yourself to no avail, the next step would be seeking assistance from an expert. As a last resort, contact Google Support directly through chat or telephone. They have advanced tools for troubleshooting complex account and system issues. A specialist may spot something you’ve missed or find a bug requiring their intervention.

In summary, issues receiving child app requests are usually resolved by double checking settings, updating devices, and communication between parent and child. But the root of problems can sometimes be elusive. Have patience, try different devices if possible, and get help from an expert if all else fails. With some trial and error, you’re bound to get notifications working properly again eventually. Let me know if any other questions come up!

Why You Might Not be Getting Your Child’s App Requests

Issue Possible Cause Solution
No notification Notification settings turned off Check notification settings on device and app store
Request not sent WiFi or data connection issues Check device is connected to internet
Duplicate request Request already pending Child may need to wait for previous request to be approved
Request declined Automatic decline due to content filters Adjust content filter settings if too restrictive
Request timing issue Request sent when you were unavailable Schedule times to routinely check for and approve requests

FAQ

  1. Why am I not getting many requests from my child’s app?

    Basically, there could be several reasons for this. Your kid may just be spending more time doing other activities instead of using the app lately. At the same time, they may have lost interest in it and moved on to something else. Maybe have a chat with them and see if there’s anything missing from the app that they would find more fun.

  2. Could the app be faulty or not working properly?

    It’s possible I suppose. Perhaps try reinstalling it or updating to the latest version. You never know, some bugs could cause issues. On the other hand, if other kids are still using it regularly then it’s less likely to be an app problem. Still might be worth checking though, just in case!

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  3. Are they allowed enough screen time to use the app?

    This could definitely impact how frequently they request it. You might want to review your family’s screen time rules and make sure your kid has a reasonable allotment to enjoy the app. Of course, too much time on screens isn’t great either. It’s a balance! Ask them if they feel like they have enough opportunities to play.

  4. Is the content no longer interesting to them?

    Kids’ interests change remarkably quickly! It’s possible the types of activities or games in the app just don’t appeal anymore now that their tastes have evolved. Have you noticed them gravitating towards different genres lately? A little variety could help rekindle their passion. You might also consider if the educational level is too low now.

  5. Are they playing with friends more in person?

    Face to face time is so important for development. If they’ve been hanging out with pals a lot, small wonder online games have taken a backseat! Make sure social relationships are nurtured alongside digital activities. Maybe try adding a group play option to the app.

  6. Is the reward system not motivating enough?

    Kids can lose interest if accomplishments don’t feel adequately celebrated. The prizes or positive feedback may need freshening up to stay exciting. You could ask your child what kinds of rewards would inspire them to play more. Get their input to improve motivation.

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  7. Are they experiencing tech problems you’re unaware of?

    On the other hand, occasionally kids don’t tell parents about app glitches or other annoyances. Have a relaxed chat and see if anything is frustrating them that could explain the dip in requests. Actively listening may reveal issues you can work with the developer to address. Communication is key!