Creating and safeguarding an account for my minor child

Be aware that we aren’t Apple, we’re just other users like you.

The ONLY way to properly create an AppleID for a minor child is described here:

Create an Apple ID for your child - Apple Support

Then, it’s absolutely imperative that the adult family organizer setup the child’s device. Read EVERY screen prompt carefully and deliberately choose each answer.

Lastly, apply Parental Controls with a special passcode known ONLY to you.

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Pay particular attention to this part. There are some very important controls within “Other Settings and Features” which IMO should be “restricted” but by default are left accessible to the child.

Hmmm, I now see that for India here: 🤔

Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID - Apple Support

Certainly now understand your dilemma.

In the U.S. at least, Apple uses re-entry of the adult’s on-file credit card verification code as “Derived Adult Consent.”

Not quite sure what to suggest in your case other than Official Apple Support for India.

There ARE other members here from India, hopefully they might jump-in w/ more substantive suggestions.

Your efforts to properly setup a minor’s account are commendable.

This is indeed an interesting situation. I'm afraid I have nothing to say regarding setting up Family Sharing without a credit/debit card, however I believe you should be able to use Screen Time regardless. Using Family Sharing only allows you to change the settings from your own device, you should still be able to set up Screen Time on your child's phone. Make sure you set the Screen Time password something obscure your child won't be able to guess (don't make it the device password, obviously).

Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Give the community a bit of time.

With any luck, a suitable workaround - resistant to tech-savvy children - will be forthcoming.

Edit to add:

Here’s one thought: Assuming the device has Touch/Face ID … simply don’t provide the child w/ the AppleID password OR the device passcode.

Then using ScreenTime, restrict the child’s ability to alter his/her AppleID or change the device passcode.

Then he/she would need an adult to initially turn on the device - and once a week or so thereafter - but his/her biometrics would allow their access normally.

I’m glad someone else came up w/ the same general idea for a workaround.

I think, to make it “child resistant” it’s also essential that the ScreenTime restrictions be set to 1) Restrict the child from making AppleID or Passcode changes, and …

… 2) that the child not know the device passcode OR AppleID password.

He/she uses biometrics for normal use and must have an adult Keymaster periodically re-enter the device Passcode when needed.