Best Debit Card for Kids and Teens

Debit Card for Kids and Teens: A Guide for Parents

The image shows a playful Kids Debit Card with pastel colors on the left, and a sleek, modern Teens Debit Card with a dark design on the right.

Overview

Managing your teenager’s spending while teaching financial responsibility can be challenging. Fortunately, debit cards for kids and teens offer an ideal solution. With robust parental controls, real-time spending notifications, and customizable allowances, these kid-friendly cards promote money savvy habits.

Furthermore, they empower young people to build financial literacy in a secure environment. In this guide by Academic Block, you’ll discover the best debit card for kids and teens, its features, fee structures, safety measures, and perks that suit every family’s needs. So, whether you’re a concerned parent or a savvy teen, keep reading to unlock smarter spending today!

Best Debit Cards for Kids and Teens – Features & Fees Comparison

To simplify your search for the best debit card for minors, we’ve hand picked top options that balance ease of use with robust security. Here are some of the best debit cards for kids and teens, offering features that promote financial literacy, safety, and parental control:

Debit Card
Ranking
Age Range
Key Features
Fees
Reference
Greenlight Debit Card
4.9/5
6-18 years
Parental Controls, Chores & Allowance, Savings/Investing, 1-5% Rewards
$5.99-$14.98/month
GoHenry Debit Card (Acorns Early)
4.8/5
6-18 years
Custom card designs, parental controls, financial education app, earn money via tasks
$4.99/month per child
FamZoo Prepaid Debit Card
4.7/5
6-18 years
Virtual savings accounts, automatic allowance, family account monitoring, transaction reports
$5.99/month (includes multiple cards)
Chase First Banking (Chase Kids Debit Card or Chase Debit Card for Teens)
4.7/5
6-17 years
No fees, chore setup, Zelle P2P, spending limits, real-time alerts
$0 (Chase account required)
Current Debit Card
4.6/5
13-17 years
Parental controls, fee-free ATM withdrawals, early direct deposit, points rewards
$0 (No Monthly Fees)
Revolut Junior
4.5/5
7-17 years
Free tier, savings goals, parental locks, mobile wallet compatible
$0 (basic monthly fee)
BusyKid Visa Prepaid Card
4.5/5
5-17 years
Earn money for chores, savings & spending tools, sharing options
$4/month (covers up to 5 kids)
Jassby Debit Card
4.4/5
6-18 years
Chore-based earnings, in-app learning, digital wallet compatible
Free (for fee plan); $4.99/month (for plus plan)
Capital One MONEY Teen Card
4.3/5
8-17 years
No monthly fees, Zelle, 0.10% APY, card lock/unlock, parental monitoring, 70k+ fee-free ATMs
$0, $0 in-network ATM

Infographic outlining key things of considerations for debit cards for kids and teens, including security features, parental controls, fees, eligibility, ease-of-use, educational tools.

Things To Consider Before Getting a Debit Card for Kids and Teens

Before choosing the best debit card for kids and teens, it’s important to consider key features that ensure safety and learning.

  1. Age and Eligibility Requirements : Check the minimum age limit and whether the card is linked to a parent’s account.

  2. Parental Controls : Look for debit cards with real-time tracking, spending limits, and activity alerts.

  3. Fees and Charges : Compare monthly fees, ATM withdrawal costs, and hidden charges to avoid surprises.

  4. Financial Education Tools : Choose cards that offer budgeting tools and savings goals to build financial literacy.

  5. Security Features : Ensure the card includes fraud protection, card lock, and secure login options.

  6. Ease of Use : Opt for cards with user-friendly apps for both kids and parents.

Infographic comparing pros and cons of debit card for kids and teens including budgeting skills, parental controls, valuable convenience in pros; and fraud risks, fees, supervision in cons.

Pros and Cons of Debit Card for Kids and Teens

Understanding the pros and cons of debit cards for kids and teens helps parents make informed decisions about financial responsibility tools.

Pros
Cons
Hands on budgeting tools: Teens can learn financial responsibility through real time balance tracking and budgeting apps
Limited fraud protection: Debit cards often have weaker consumer safeguards than credit cards
Prevents debt: You can only spend what’s loaded, avoiding overspending
No credit building: Debit use doesn’t contribute to credit history
Parental controls & safety: Parents can set spending limits, receive notifications, and even block merchants
Possible fees: Watch out for ATM, overdraft or monthly fees on some cards
Convenient and widely accepted: Contactless payments and ATM use build digital literacy
Requires supervision: Teens need guidance to prevent mistakes like overdrawing
Teachable moments: Mistakes become learning opportunities about wants vs. needs
Loss or theft risk: If stolen, funds are immediately at risk

Final Words

A debit card for kids and teens can be a valuable tool for teaching financial responsibility. It offers convenience, safety, and opportunities for financial education. By choosing the right card and actively engaging with your child about money management, you can help them build a strong foundation for their financial future. Whether they are learning to save, budget, or make responsible spending decisions, having a debit card can make the process both educational and enjoyable. Hope you liked this article by Academic Block. Before leaving, please provide your insightful thoughts to make this article better. Thanks for Reading!

Questions and answers related to Debit Card for Kids and Teens:

+ Is there a free child’s debit card? >

Yes, several banks offer free debit cards for kids, including Chase First Banking (for Chase customers) and Axos First Checking. These cards come with no monthly fees, parental controls, and budgeting tools. However, some cards, like Greenlight and GoHenry, have subscription fees but offer more robust financial tools for kids.

+ What debit card is best for kids? >

The best debit card for kids depends on features. Greenlight Debit Card offers strong parental controls and financial education tools, while GoHenry is ideal for chore-based earnings. Chase First Banking and Axos First Checking are great fee-free options with standard banking features. Consider budgeting tools, fees, and parental control levels.

+ What card can a 12-year-old get? >

A 12-year-old can get a debit card from banks like Chase First Banking, GoHenry, Greenlight, and FamZoo. These cards allow secure transactions, parental monitoring, and spending controls. Traditional banks usually require a parental joint account, while prepaid debit cards offer independent money management for kids.

+ Is there a free debit card for kids? >

Yes, Chase First Banking, Axos First Checking, and Capital One MONEY provide free debit cards for kids. These accounts have no monthly fees and include spending controls, savings features, and ATM access. Other prepaid cards, like Greenlight, require a monthly fee but offer additional financial tools.

+ Is a Greenlight debit card worth it? >

Yes, the Greenlight debit card is worth it for parents wanting comprehensive financial education tools for their kids. It offers allowance management, savings goals, chore tracking, and parental controls. However, it comes with a monthly fee, making free options like Chase First Banking more appealing for basic banking needs.

+ How to open a Current Card for teens? >

To open a Current Teen Debit Card, a parent must create an account via the Current app. They can then add a teen account, fund it, and enable spending controls. The Current Card supports direct deposit, savings, and budgeting tools but requires a monthly fee for premium features.

+ How to put money on a GoHenry card? >

To load money onto a GoHenry debit card, parents can use bank transfers, direct deposits, or linked debit/credit cards through the GoHenry app. Automatic transfers, like weekly allowances or chore-based earnings, can be set up to teach kids money management and saving habits.

+ How to get a Greenlight card for free? >

Greenlight offers a 30-day free trial, but after that, it requires a monthly subscription. Occasionally, promo codes and referral programs allow users to get a Greenlight card free for a limited time. Unlike some other cards, it does not have a permanent free option.

+ Can under 18 people use a debit card? >

Yes, minors under 18 can use kids’ and teen debit cards linked to a parent’s account or prepaid debit cards like Greenlight, GoHenry, and FamZoo. Traditional banks like Chase, Axos, and Capital One also offer joint accounts for teens with debit cards.

+ How does Greenlight card for kids work? >

The Greenlight debit card is a prepaid card for kids with parental controls, spending limits, and savings goals. Parents fund the card through an app, track transactions, and even assign chore-based earnings. It’s a secure way to teach kids financial responsibility, but it has a monthly subscription fee.

+ Can you buy a prepaid debit card for kids? >

Yes, parents can purchase prepaid debit cards for kids from financial institutions like Greenlight, GoHenry, and FamZoo. These cards help children learn financial responsibility while allowing parental controls. Most prepaid cards for kids offer spending limits, savings goals, and real-time transaction tracking. Ensure to check fees and features before choosing the best option.

+ Name the Best debit cards for 15-year-olds. >

The best debit cards for 15-year-olds include the Greenlight Card, Chase First Banking, GoHenry, and FamZoo. These debit cards offer parental controls, spending tracking, and savings features. Some also include investment options and educational tools, making them ideal for teens learning financial independence and responsible spending.

+ Can a 14-year-old get a debit card at Chase? >

Yes, Chase offers the Chase First Banking debit card for kids aged 6 to 17, available with a parent’s Chase checking account. It includes parental controls, spending limits, and real-time transaction monitoring. This card helps teens develop financial responsibility while ensuring parents oversee spending habits.

+ Is there a monthly fee for a Greenlight card? >

Yes, Greenlight charges a monthly fee starting at $4.99 per family for up to five kids. Premium plans with investing and additional features range from $9.98 to $14.98 per month. Greenlight offers budgeting, savings, and parental control tools, making it a popular prepaid debit card for kids and teens.

+ Which is the best debit card for kids under 13? >

For kids under 13, the Greenlight Debit Card is a top choice due to its parental controls, savings features, and real-time notifications. Other good options include GoHenry and FamZoo, which offer educational tools, allowance tracking, and spending restrictions tailored for younger children.

+ What are the best debit cards for kids and teens? >

The best debit cards for kids and teens include Greenlight, GoHenry, Chase First Banking, and FamZoo. These cards offer parental controls, budgeting tools, and financial education features, ensuring kids learn smart money management while giving parents oversight on spending.

+ Which is better, Greenlight Card or GoHenry Card? >

Greenlight is better for families needing advanced parental controls, investing options, and savings tools. GoHenry is great for kids who need basic budgeting features and fun financial education games. Both have monthly fees, but Greenlight offers more financial growth opportunities for kids and teens.

+ Which is the best reloadable debit card for a teenager? >

The FamZoo Prepaid Debit Card is the best reloadable debit card for teens, offering no overdraft fees and strong parental controls. Greenlight and GoHenry are also great options, providing automatic allowance deposits and spending restrictions.

+ What is the best reloadable prepaid card with no fees? >

The Chime Visa® Debit Card is a top choice for a no-fee reloadable prepaid card, offering free transactions, no monthly fees, and no overdraft charges. Other good options include Bluebird by American Express and the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, which allow easy cash reloading.

+ What are the Best Banking Apps and Debit Cards for Kids and Teens? >

The best banking apps and debit cards for kids and teens include Greenlight, GoHenry, FamZoo, and Chase First Banking. These platforms offer spending insights, parental controls, and financial education tools to help young users develop smart money management habits.