Vipps
What is Vipps?
Vipps is a Norwegian mobile-payment service for sending and receiving money and paying participating businesses. Vipps under 15 gives a child an account connected to a parent, foster parent, or guardian.
The adult can see an under-15 child’s payment history, who sent or received money, and what is written in the in-app chat. The adult can also block contacts in the child’s Vipps. [1]
Age limit: Vipps under 15 is for children under 15, and payment to Vipps numbers is open to children between 6 and 15 once both parents approve it. This guide covers the Norwegian offering; bank requirements and age transitions can change and may differ in other Vipps MobilePay markets. [1] [2]
Why do kids like it?
- Everyday payments are quick. A child can receive pocket money or pay someone without handling cash.
- Splitting costs is simple. Friends can settle small shared expenses.
- It supports independence. A child can practise managing a balance with an adult available to help.
- Payments and chat are together. A note or message can explain what money was for.
What are the real risks?
- Pressure can become a payment. A peer or stranger may ask, manipulate, or threaten a child into sending money.
- Scams can look like ordinary requests. A familiar name, sale, link, or urgent message may not be genuine.
- Digital spending can feel less visible. Many small transfers can add up quickly.
- Chat creates another contact route. Payment context can become social pressure or unwanted conversation.
- Adult review can feel unexpected. A linked adult can see payment history, counterparties, and in-app chat, including activity a child may have assumed was private. [1]
Settings to check
Menu labels vary by app version, so follow what the current adult app shows.
- Open the child’s account: Open the linked under-15 profile in the adult’s Vipps and review the available activity view. [1]
- Review payment history: Check recent counterparties, amounts, and payment notes for unusual activity. [1]
- Review chat when safety requires it: Use the linked adult view to check the in-app chat connected with the relevant activity. [1]
- Block unwanted contact: Open the child’s Vipps controls and use Block for someone the child or adult does not want contacting them. [1]
- Require device purchase approval: Use the phone’s family and store settings for purchases outside Vipps.
How to talk about it
“What kinds of Vipps requests feel ordinary to you, and how could you check one that felt unexpected?”
“How should we use the activity view so it helps without feeling like a surprise?”
“What balance feels useful for everyday payments, and what would you do if someone pressured you to show it or send money?”
Last reviewed: September 2026