List of Best Debit Card for Teens Comprehensive Update

Filed in Articles by on March 31, 2022

– Debit Card for Teens –

Digital technology permeates our kids, and young toddlers get to learn from an early age. Activating debit cards for teens is the most wanted need for every teen to have in their early lifetime.

This article will interest you to know which debit card is the best suit for teens to use for their digital activities.

Nowadays, kids love being online and it has become clear that money has become a huge part of their digital worlds.

Recent advance in technology has created an environment that entices kids to spend more and more of their time on the internet.

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Yes, this is true for entertainment such as streaming services and video games.

This will involve other parts of the activity like allowances, saving, and spending money.

Kids are angling for virtual permission to their cash at much younger ages than ever before.

And the $535 million fintech-for-kids industry is serving up youth-focused prepaid debit cards, investment accounts, bank accounts happily.

What is a Debit Card for Teens?

Children’s debit cards are accounts that allow parents to monitor their children while they learn to manage money.

They link this debit card to a bank account or another source of funds.

A variety of institutions offers debit cards for teens, including traditional banks, neo banks, and fintech startups.

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The education and financial literacy aspects are the most significant distinction between a debit card for minors and a prepaid debit card.

Teen debit cards allow them to learn fundamental money management skills without the fear of incurring exorbitant overdraft fees or falling into credit card debt.

From the simplicity of a mobile app, you can schedule chore payments, track spending, establish spending restrictions, transfer money, and more.

Costs Associated with a Debit Card for Teens?

There are several costs for most teen debit cards, and these include:

1. Monthly or yearly fees

2. Reload fees (for prepaid cards)

3. Inactivity fees

4. ATM fees

5. Declined card fees

5. Replacement card fees

7. Custom card fees

While some companies charge more than others, understanding the total costs associated with any teen debit card is important before signing up.

Debit Cards for Kids: A Growth Opportunity

Financial literacy begins much earlier as many kids recognize the value of money by age 7 according to a University of Cambridge study report.

The report also included how the kids get to achieve their earnings and exchange for goods.

The study also found that even though kids grasp basic money concepts at a younger age, they’re still deliberating the difference between luxuries and necessities.

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Opening a prepaid debit card for teens in their name gives them an opportunity for an independent experience under your guidance.

Younger kids will do very well with a prepaid debit card while older kids may be less ready for an entry-level checking account with debit capabilities.

Whatever way, as a custodian, you’ll have to open an account on their behalf and get it to link to your bank account.

Afterward, you can then transfer the money to their card. There are many accounts modern tools to help you instill positive money habits that include:

➛ Tracking how and when your child spends their money

➛ Assigning and rewarding completed chores with a debited allowance

➛ Saving and investing tools that suggest ways to grow their earnings

The Risks: Are Debit Cards for Kids Safe? 

Keep in mind that weighing the benefits and risks of a debit card for your kids is a balancing act.

The vital thing to consider is how much you’re much comfortable sharing online.

To get this done, you’ll need to provide details of your personal information for your child to sign up.

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Such information will include birthdates, Social Security numbers, addresses, and phone numbers.

The company may probably ask you to share your GPS location history, purchase history, and behavioral profile information that will allow the app to share targeted ads for products and services.

Having known this, debit cards for kids are no more risky than their adult counterparts because of the reasons below:

1, Child-Specific Laws

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act goes a step further in protecting the privacy of children under the age of 13.

Who use financial products by forcing issuers to identify what information they’re collecting and get parental agreement prior to collecting it.

Also, check to see if the issuer wants to sell your child’s information to third parties.

2. Purchase Protection

Some issuers give reimbursements for fraudulent transactions if your child lost his card.

For an additional $5 per month, GreenLight’s Max plan offers purchase protection.

Prepaid cards have EMV chip technology and password-protected accounts for accessing with a PIN or facial recognition.

4. Parental Locking Feature

Most debit cards for kids come with a parental locking option that allows you to secure the money in your account using your smartphone in case the card

5. Consumer Protection

Unlike cash, which can easily fall out of your child’s pocket.

Prepaid debit cards issued by FDIC-insured banks have gotten protection up to $250,000, which means you won’t lose your money if the bank fails.

Although both children’s and adult debit cards are getting protection by the same security procedures.

Any information you provide about your child online raises their risk profile.

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They have exposed massive numbers of accounts because of online data breaches.

However, this often contains sensitive information such as social security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and credit card details.

Look for invoices or credit card applications sent to your child after you’ve signed them up for a debit card, and if a debt collector calls with their name on file, ask questions.

Experian offers a free ID Scan service to see if your child’s SSN is active on any credit accounts, and the Federal Trade Commission recommends procedures to take if you suspect identity theft.

Best Recommended Debit Card for Teens

Debit cards for teens work just like regular debit cards, giving kids the freedom to manage their own money while keeping full account control with their parents or guardians.

This helps kids to learn the fundamentals of budgeting and saving money while parents monitor them and keep them out of financial problems.

They usually use the finest debit cards with mobile apps that include financial education and the ability to track spending and savings.

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Many also have an account and spending restrictions, which assist protect teens from overspending while still allowing them to make practical financial decisions.

Smaller banks may also provide features that are more suited to teens than larger banks, although they may not have the same name recognition or reputation.

Below are our recommended best debit cards for teens to get for their online activities.

1. The GreenLight Kids’ Debit Card for Teens

Cost per Teen: $4.99 to $9.98/month (supports up to 5 kids)

Reload Fee: N/A

States Available: 50

SIGN UP NOW!

Why We Recommend it

Our best overall pick for teens is the GreenLight Kids’ Debit Card, which includes chore management, fast transfers, real-time notifications, store-specific spending limitations, and more.

Even on the cheapest monthly plan, GreenLight covers up to five debit cards, making it an excellent choice for families with many teenagers.

Pros of Using the GreenLight Kids’ Debit Card:

‣ Full parental control and monitoring of teen spending

‣ Built-in financial education

‣ Chore management and payments

‣ Can block spending for specific stores

Cons of Using the GreenLight Kids’ Debit Card:

‣ $1,000 daily spending limit

‣ Can only fund accounts via bank account or debit card

Overview of the GreenLight Kids’ Debit Card

Greenlight provides up to give debit master cards for minors for a minimal monthly charge, all of which are linked to a parent-controlled account.

Within the smartphone app, parents can track all of their children’s spending, deactivate or activate debit cards, and even restrict specific stores.

Greenlight has multiple levels of service, the most basic of which is $4.99 per month and includes debit cards and access to the mobile app with parental controls.

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Greenlight’s investment platform is available to youngsters for $7.98 per month (which is just a parent brokerage account that the kids can use to invest).

Kids get a special edition card, priority customer support, identity theft monitoring, notifications, and restoration, cell phone security for broken or lost phones.

Also, purchase protection with the Greenlight Max account, besides the debit card, mobile app, and investment platform.

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However, there are some restrictions with Greenlight. They currently set the daily spending limit at $1,000.

While this may appear to be a significant fee, it is lower than that charged by some other teen debit cards.

Greenlight also doesn’t enable customers to pay their accounts using PayPal or credit cards, instead of asking them to link a bank account or debit card.

To be fair, this also eliminates third-party service fees, thus saving users money.

2. Axos Bank First Checking Account + Debit Card

Cost per Teen: $0

Reload Fee: N/A

States Available: 50

SIGN UP NOW!

Why We Recommend it

The Axos Bank First Checking account comes with a free debit card and is available to teens with no account fees.

Which includes no maintenance fees, no overdraft or insufficient funds fees, and up to $12 in ATM fee reimbursements per month.

Pros:

No fees of any kind

‣ ATM reimbursements

‣ Joint checking account with teen

Cons:

‣ Only available to teens from age 13 to 17

‣ Limited parental controls via the mobile app

‣ No financial education content is available

Overview of Axos Bank First Checking Account + Debit Card

Teens ages 13 to 17 can open an Axos Bank First Checking account as joint-owners of a checking account with a free debit card.

This is a traditional checking account that includes online bill pay, peer-to-peer payments, and FDIC protection.

The best thing is that there are no account maintenance costs, no overdraft fees, and they returned up to $12 in ATM fees each month.

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While the Axos Bank mobile app lacks the bells and whistles of other teen debit cards, it is a cost-effective option to get your teen used to managing their own money.

A parent or guardian must be a joint account owner with their teen on Axos, giving them equal control over the account.

Parents can use the mobile app or banking dashboard to deactivate (or reactivate) their teen’s debit card, as well as set up automated notifications for any account activity.

Teens can direct deposit their paychecks into the account as if it were a regular bank account.

They can also earn interest with this checking account, however, it’s only a fraction of a percent, which doesn’t add up too much, and parents should instead open a savings account for their children.

3. BusyKid Visa Prepaid Spend Card

Cost per Teen: $19.99 per year

Reload Fee: $0

States Available (#): 50

SIGN UP NOW!

Why We Recommend it

BusyKid offers an easy-to-find prepaid debit card, as well as full parental control on all purchases.

Parents can even prevent transfers or specific purchases on the card with the “Money Lock” feature.

Pros:

Store-level spending locks

‣ Real-time account alerts

‣ User-friendly mobile app

‣ Budgeting features included

Cons:

‣ The fee to use a PIN on the card

‣ $7.99 cost for additional card

Overview of BusyKid Visa Prepaid Spend Card

BusyKid is a kid-friendly prepaid debit card that works with the BusyKid mobile app, allowing parents to pay their children directly for chores and other tasks.

Within the app, children can choose to save, spend, or give the money they have earned.

With a real-time activity feed, the option to freeze transfers, and controls to prevent spending at specific stores.

BusyKid allows parents complete control over their children’s spending.

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All outside money transfers or withdrawals have to be approved by a parent, according to BusyKid.

These precautions allow parents to provide their children access to financial instruments while maintaining parental oversight and control.

With a detailed chart with a fixed amount for each activity, BusyKid’s mobile app allows kids to earn money through chores or allowance.

They will load money into the prepaid debit card as the youngsters complete the chore and check it off.

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Spending, saving, and giving are the three categories where one can divide earnings.

Parents have the option of locking or adjusting the amounts that flow into each category.

With a $19.99 yearly charge that includes one prepaid debit card, BusyKid keeps costs low. Replacement cards are $5 and additional cards are $7.99 a year.

They will charge teens a $0.50 fee if they use the card with a PIN or if they refused a transaction.

4. Gohenry Debit Card

Cost per Teen: $3.99/month

Reload Fee: $0

States Available: 50

SIGN UP NOW!

Why We Recommend it

The Gohenry debit card comes with a host of features for teens and parents, including chores and allowance tracking, real-time alerts, and parental spending controls.

Gohenry also offers customer support through phone, email, or social media, seven days a week.

Pros:

‣ Customer service is available 7 days a week

‣ Financial education resources

‣ Spending controls available

‣ Social media support

Cons:

‣ Higher cost than competitors ($3.99/month, per child)

‣ $1.50 ATM fees

Overview of Gohenry Debit Card

Gohenry is a U.K.-based startup that provides a debit card and a mobile app to enable children aged eight to eighteen to manage their allowance and chore money.

It also includes built-in financial education tools, such as “money missions.”

Which are interactive financial lessons based on the National Standards for K-12 Personal Finance Education.

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With phone and email support seven days a week, Gohenry is our top pick for customer service.

The website also has a full support area, and the gohenry staff responds to questions via social media platforms like Twitter.

Chore monitoring, savings goals, real-time notifications, parental spending limits, and even the opportunity to gift through the mobile app are just a few of the features Gohenry offers.

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The accounts are FDIC-insured, and the debit Mastercard features the most up-to-date Chip-and-PIN technology for further protection.

While Gohenry is slightly more expensive than other debit card accounts, at $3.99 per month (per child).

The full-featured software and great customer service make it a worthwhile choice for parents of children and teenagers.

5. Jassby Virtual Debit Card

Cost per Teen: $0 ($2.99/month if no purchases made)

Reload Fee: N/A

States Available: 50

SIGN UP NOW!

Why We Recommend it

Jassby offers a completely online experience with the added security of a virtual debit card.

This card offers dynamic virtual card numbers, PIN and biometric security for every purchase, and full parental controls for each account.

Pros:

‣ Virtual card with rotating security codes

‣ Apple and Google Pay are compatible

‣ PINs and biometric access are required for purchases

‣ FDIC insured account

Cons:

‣ No physical card option is available

‣ $2.99 inactivity fee (monthly)

Overview of Jassby Virtual Debit Card

For in-store purchases, Jassby is an online bank that offers a virtual debit card that is also compatible with Apple and Google Pay services.

With Jassby, teens don’t have to worry about losing a physical card, and a unique security code protects each transaction.

Jassby accounts are FDIC insured by Sutton Bank of Ohio, and Mastercard issues the debit card.

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Jassby also offers a kid-friendly smartphone app that allows parents to assign tasks, set up periodic allowance payments, and track all account activity.

Kids can also use the Jassby money-smart score system, which awards kids for positive financial decisions like saving money.

They can exchange the points for cash on the Jassby shopping portal.

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For the first six months, there are no costs, and your account can remain fee-free if your kid makes at least one purchase per month. Otherwise, there is a $2.99 cost.

You must be 18 years old, a US citizen or legal resident with a US phone number and an iOS device, and have a US bank account or credit card to join up.

6. FamZoo Prepaid Debit Card

Cost per Teen: $2.50 to $5.99/month

Reload Fee: $0 to $6 (depending on reload method)

States Available: 50

SIGN UP NOW!

Why We Recommend it

FamZoo has a kid-friendly mobile app, prepaid debit card, and a wide range of educational features, such as chore lists, purpose-driven accounts, savings goals, instant transfers, real-time alerts, and more.

Pros:

‣ Includes up to four cards

‣ Unique educational features

‣ Chore lists and savings goals

‣ Loan tracking for kids is available

Cons:

‣ Reload fees that summed up to $6

‣ Interest on savings accounts paid by parents

‣ The lowest pricing requires 24-month payment upfront

Overview of FamZoo Prepaid Debit Card

FamZoo was formed in 2006 with the goal of instilling healthy financial habits in children. It contains a prepaid debit card and a mobile app that lets youngsters manage their money using budget categories such as spend, save, and give.

Kids can use the smartphone app’s spending checklists to keep track of chores and money-making jobs. They will divide payment into categories to teach children why paying themselves first is a good idea.

Children can also set and track savings goals, putting money aside for bigger purchases. Parent-paid interest is also available, allowing parents to reward saving by paying interest on funds saved.

FamZoo includes features like a loan payback tracker and a “chore fail” chart to assist kids learn about real-world money.

Parents can loan money to their children by loading it onto a prepaid card and establishing a repayment schedule for the loan.

FamZoo also has a core fail option, which allows you to deduct dollars from a child’s account if they don’t complete a chore. FamZoo generates weekly financial reports for each family member, detailing transactions and goal progress.

For families, FamZoo offers two options: prepaid cards or IOU accounts. While the IOU account just records the money you owe your child, the prepaid cards provide a far more hands-on approach to money management.

While maintaining visibility and control over four connected prepaid cards, parents may make fast transfers and track spending.

FamZoo accounts do not have any age limitations. They keep the funds on the card in an FDIC-insured account, and the firm does not save any of your personal information on its servers.

The pricing for FamZoo ranges from $2.50 to $5.99 per month for up to four cards. You can pay a flat fee of $2 for each additional card.

The reload pricing ranges from free (direct deposit, Apple Pay, PayPal, or Square Cash) to $4 to $6 (MasterCard rePower, GreenDot @ the Register, GreenDot MoneyPak).

FamZoo doesn’t pay interest, but you may set up “parent-paid interest” to encourage saving. The $2.50 per month pricing requires you to prepay $59.99 in advance for 24 months.

7. Kachinga Prepaid Debit Card

Cost per Teen: $3/month

Reload Fee: $0

States Available: 50

SIGN UP NOW!

Why We Recommend it

Kachinga offers a fully controllable prepaid debit card and chore app, with the ability to set limits on child spending, receive notifications for child transactions, instantly lock and unlock cards through the mobile app, and even restrict access on age-inappropriate spending categories.

Pros:

➛ Spending category locks

➛ Real-time transaction monitoring

➛ Ability to lock child debit cards remotely

➛ Free trial available

Cons:

➛ $3/month per child fee

➛ No ATM network (will incur fees)

➛ Limited customer support

Overview of Kachinga Prepaid Debit Card

Kachinga is a chore software that works in tandem with a prepaid debit card to teach kids about earning, saving, and spending money.

Kachinga provides a variety of parental restrictions, such as spending alerts, merchant blocking, and the ability to freeze a debit card from the mobile app.

The software allows parents to set up chore charts or regular allowances for their children, which helps them earn money. They deposited the money earned into a prepaid debit card, which the teens can use to spend, save, or contribute.

To assist kids to learn about money management, the app tracks spending over time and provides basic spending summaries.

Kachinga costs $36 per year per child, therefore parents with many children may find it prohibitively expensive. The service comes with a one-month free trial period.

Because there is no ATM partner network, ATM withdrawals will incur a fee that is not refunded. The card has no overdraft fees, no inactivity costs, and no reload fees.

8. Current Debit Card

Cost per Teen: $3/month

Reload Fee: N/A

States Available: 50

SIGN UP NOW!

Why We Recommend It

Current is an innovative banking app with helpful financial planning features for teens such as setting savings goals, the ability to round-up purchases toward savings, and earning money by completing chores within the app.

Current also gives teens the ability to request or send money to friends and give to charity.

Pros:

➛ Intuitive mobile app

➛ Savings pods help teens learn to save for future expenses

➛ Round-up feature to save spare change

➛ Spending tracker to monitor spending

➛ Fee-free ATMs available

Cons:

➛ More costly than some competitors ($3/month per child)

➛ Deposits may take up to 5 days to transfer

Overview of Current Debit Card for Teens

Current Debit Card is a prepaid debit card and mobile app that teaches financial planning to teenagers through innovative in-app features.

Teens may use the Current mobile app to manage their money and put aside amounts on the debit card for spending, saving, and giving.

Current also includes a built-in chore tracker and the ability to set up recurring allowances.

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Current shows feature spending reports that teach kids how to manage their money and allow them to set spending restrictions.

Current also allows kids to “round up” purchases to the next dollar and deposit the difference into savings pods, which divide your balance into specific savings goals.

Teens can also set up recurring savings into the savings pods using the Current smartphone app, thereby automating their saves for future financial objectives.

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Current has a component on their website called Person Finance 101 that teaches youth how to better plan, budget, and save.

Currently has all the parental controls, such as real-time spending notifications, the ability to lock debit cards, and the ability to restrict spending to specific merchants or businesses.

Current costs are $36 per year ($3/month) per teen, so it may be expensive if your household has multiple teens.

But there are no transaction fees, transfer fees, or overdraft fees, and Current partnered with Allpoint® to give access to over 40,000 fee-free ATMs across the U.S.

Guide for Choosing the Best Debit Card for Teens

An adolescent debit card is a terrific way to educate your teen on financial literacy and the skills to manage their own money.

Many of these debit cards are prepaid, and most of them have some type of parental control, such as spending notifications and the ability to blacklist merchants that aren’t acceptable.

Consider these teen debit cards to be a real checking account with bumper lanes for your teen.

They give teens the responsibility of managing their own finances without the risk of having unrestricted access to a traditional debit or credit card.

Teaching Your Teen to Use a Debit Card

Most teen debit cards are to be used on mobile devices, with the option to sign up online.

If the teen is under the age of 18, a joint account holder (parent or guardian) who is at least 18 years old can sign up for an account.

A parent will need to link a bank account or debit card to finance the card once they have made it (usually through the corporate website or mobile app).

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Many apps allow you to log chores and set up recurring allowance payments, as well as divide earned money into categories like spending, saving, and giving.

Teens may use the smartphone app to keep track of their finances, which helps them learn financial literacy and responsibility by exposing them to incentives, fees, and expenses.

Does a Debit Card for Teens help Teach Financial Responsibility?

Yes, with the right parental controls in place, a debit card can be one of the finest methods to introduce your kid to financial management without the risks and concerns that come with a credit card.

Teens learn about earning money through chores and other jobs, budgeting that money for immediate and future needs, prioritizing savings, and making real-life financial decisions.

They give teens the responsibility of being able to spend money they have earned, but with parental supervision to keep them out of debt.

Who Should Get a Debit Card for Teens?

An adolescent debit card is the ideal stepping stone for your teen who wants to manage their own money.

It gives them the freedom to make their own financial decisions while keeping parental restrictions and monitoring in place.

It has the potential to spark discussions about money, planning, and the value of saving. A teen debit card may be a wonderful alternative if you want to teach your adolescent about money management with real-world implications.

What is the Minimum Age to Receive a Debit Card for Teens?

While many debit cards are only available to teens aged 13 and up, several kid-friendly debit cards are available to children as young as six.

In the United States, a child under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian on the account who is at least 18 years old, regardless of the age limit for the kid debit card.

Method:

Although teen debit cards are a relatively new concept, there are already several competitors on the market. This might make it tough for busy parents to decide, especially when there are so many goods with comparable features.

Some items also have less pricing clarity, particularly for supplementary costs, making a real apples-to-apples comparison impossible.

We began our search for the best debit cards for teenagers with a list of 25 of the most well-known firms. We compared the history, reputation, features, and functionality of each organization.

To choose the finest solutions, we recommend you look at parental controls, education, security, and any other notable features.

Although we looked into several larger, national banks, our research revealed that smaller, specialist banks offered better services geared to the specific needs of teenagers and their parents.

Comparing Debit Card

When looking for the right debit card for your teen, there are a few factors consider the following given below:

➛ Parental controls:

While many teen-targeted debit cards include spending limits, some go above and beyond. Look for features like spending notifications, merchant blocking, and the option to lock and unlock the card.

➛ Cost:

They charge monthly or yearly fees on several kid-friendly debit cards. These cards have more features, but depending on your needs, they may also be more expensive. Also, look into any additional expenses, like overdraft, reload, or ATM fees.

➛ Mobile App:

The best teen debit cards will come with a smartphone app that combines with the card and allows them to track and manage their money. Look for apps that provide a simple user interface and allow you to manage your debit card funds.

➛ Limits:

Keep track of your debit card’s spending and transaction restrictions. Some have lower spending limitations than others, so be sure you know what kind of spending your kid will do before signing up.

FAQ’s for Parents about Debit Card for Teens

Keep a watch on your child’s debit card account as they use it, just as you would for any other online activity. Here are a few best practices to think about before signing up for a Debit Card for Teens.

Ques: How can I set expectations with my child?

Before handing it over to a young and eager spender, a detailed conversation about debit card use is crucial. When the debit card arrives, sit down with your child and discuss the critical points about the safety of the card including the password or PIN, and its spending rules.

Ques: How do I learn what the company is doing with my child’s information?

As we learned above, companies reserve the right to change how they use collected data, so it’s a good idea to keep track of your account’s privacy policy and use of targeted ads shown to your child through the app.

Consumer protection laws govern aspects of what companies can share, but not all. Once you’ve chosen a product, read the fine print carefully to make sure it aligns with your comfort level.

Ques: How can I tell whether my child’s personal data is compromised?

It’s worth reiterating that minors are prime targets for identity theft, mainly because parents don’t detect a problem until their child works and filing tax returns.

Although most debit cards for kids collect only the custodial account holder’s SSN, it’s still prudent to look for signs of child identity theft, including debt collection calls, bills or credit card applications that appear in your child’s name.

The FTC outlines steps to take if you suspect identity theft, and Experian offers a free ID Scan service to see whether your child’s SSN is active on any credit accounts. 

Teen debit cards come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with many of them including mobile apps for easy digital money management.

Most cards have parental restrictions, however, some provide more options than others. Parents can monitor and manage spending options, lock cards, and set up real-time parental notifications with services like Current, Kachinga, and Greenlight.

As a result, they’re an excellent choice for parents of younger teenagers who are just learning about money management.

Other teen debit cards, including the Axos Bank First Checking account and the Jassby virtual debit card, have no monthly fees. This allows teenagers to get started without committing themselves or their parents to a long-term commitment.

Greenlight is a well-designed debit card for teenagers with a mobile app aimed to help them become better money managers.

Parents can use the parental controls incorporated into the mobile app to monitor and regulate spending and reward duties by directly depositing money into their children’s accounts.

Greenlight is a terrific option for any size family, but it’s especially beneficial for those with many teenagers.

If you’re having trouble understanding the privacy policy or have a specific question regarding debit card for teens, feel convenient by letting us know through our comment section below. We will reply to you as soon as possible.

CSN Team.

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