Can young teens get credit cards At the least, it's useful to establish a credit history. You can teach them good credit-building habits, how to spend wisely, and what the dangers of credit cards for teens can be. Today, you can't get a credit card unless you are: 21 years old or older Mar 8, 2023 · A credit card is essentially a means of taking out a loan; as such, you must be 18 to get one. But credit card issuers aren’t required to do so. These can include high interest rates, annual fees, difficult approval requirements, and federal laws limiting their availability. Teens or parents can load up the card for free in person at a Nov 7, 2024 · Capital One reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. Apr 25, 2025 · Your child can legally apply for a credit card on their own at the age of 18, but there are some credit cards for teens under 18. So, in this article, we’ll be answering: can teenagers get credit cards, should teenagers use a credit card and what other financial alternatives are there to consider? Can Teenagers Get Credit Cards Under 18? Some banks allow teens to get a credit card when they register as an authorised users of their parent’s bank account. Keeping an eye on your purchases and reviewing your monthly billing statements can help you keep on top of spending. Because credit cards are convenient to use (both in their physical form and as a part of your digital wallet), it can be easy to overspend and get into considerable debt. The amount of the deposit is equal to the card’s credit limit. For instance, Discover allows a primary cardmember to add an authorized user aged 15 and older to their credit card account. A student card or prepaid card may also work. May 2, 2022 · If your teen is ready for a credit card, but you’re worried they may overspend, you can always get a card with a low credit limit. In either case, keeping debt levels low and making on-time payments each month can help young people build May 19, 2025 · To help you find the best debit card for your family, we analyzed and ranked 32 kids’ debit cards based on 17 data points, including monthly fees, ATM access, special features and minimum Dec 5, 2023 · Step Visa® card —Best teen credit card for minors under 18. Therefore, some parents help young teens get low-limit credit cards to help train them in responsible use. You can still access a credit card being a minor by becoming an authorized user on someone else’s card. Apr 30, 2023 · Building credit as a teen can be a bit different than it is for adults. This method may seem like you are being encouraged to use a credit card. According to the Federal Deposit Jul 30, 2018 · Cents Ability advocates for teens as young as 16 to have access to credit cards but coupled with education and oversight from parents. Oct 22, 2024 · Most people use debit cards as a form of payment and having one can provide your child or teen with the first-hand experience of managing their own money. However, a parent or guardian can add a teen to a credit card as an authorized user — if the bank allows it. Generally, credit cards offer better consumer Oct 22, 2024 · Finding the best prepaid debit cards for teens and parents can help your children expand their financial know-how while learning valuable lessons in responsibility. There are several credit cards for teens to choose from. Let's start simple: what is a credit card? Your credit score will also determine which type of credit card you can get as a teen. OpenSky® Secured Visa® —Best secured credit card for teens (without credit check) Discover it® Secured Credit Card —Best credit card for teenagers to build credit. Even Nov 26, 2018 · Have your kids practice managing credit with a prepaid card: A prepaid card doesn’t impact your credit score, but can be a good way for younger kids to get used to paying with a card. What You Need to Get Started Nov 12, 2024 · What makes a credit card good for teens? The best credit card for teens is an authorized user card where the primary account holder, such as a parent or other family member, can monitor a teen’s Jan 8, 2014 · Step 2: Once the training wheels are off, get a retail store or local bank credit card. May 21, 2025 · The best credit cards for teens can help you build credit and save money when you are 18 or 19 years old. Credit card options for minors. When you're trying to teach your teen about money, a credit card can be a safe, lower-risk option from a fraud perspective. Apr 13, 2023 · That said, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 makes it more difficult for young people to get a credit card before the age of 21, unless they meet specific requirements. A good credit score is an important ingredient in the recipe for financial success. Before this legislation, roughly a third of American teens had credit cards. In this activity, you’ll conduct research with your child to learn about credit cards and explore how using a credit card can affect a Oct 27, 2018 · To help out, many parents now give their teens prepaid credit cards, which can be used anywhere that accepts regular credit cards. Credit cards, when used responsibly, can help teens establish a good credit score. Teens don't usually need a good credit score to get one, but they still require monthly payments and a credit check. Credit card companies will know that a teen won't have a full-time job—but even part-time work can establish a pattern of responsibility. This can be beneficial for future financial opportunities, such as getting a loan or a mortgage. Open a Checking Account; 3. Feb 5, 2025 · Can you build credit before 18 without a credit card? In a way, yes—by getting a job. Fraud protection. Before deciding whether or not to give your teenager access to a credit card, consider discussing finances openly with them. Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card —Best credit card with no annual fee. Conclusion: Building a Foundation for Financial Literacy. If you're younger than 18, the best way to get a credit card is to become an authorized user on a parent's account. May 3, 2025 · Pros and Cons of Credit Cards for Teens in Canada Pros: Start building your credit history from a younger age. Spending is often limited to only the amount Make sure your teen has a checking account before they get their first credit card. Feb 24, 2020 · The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (Credit CARD Act of 2009 for short) changed the rules regarding teenagers and credit cards. You need credit to build a credit score, so obtaining a credit card at a young age is an easy way to do this. Learning to use credit cards safely can help your teen or young adult manage and protect their money. Even though having a job doesn't directly build credit, it does show that you may be more responsible with money. 5 best credit cards for teenagers 1. And once your teenager Oct 18, 2024 · If your teen is under 18, they can’t apply for a credit card in their name. And if it’s not on a credit report, it can’t help you improve your teen’s credit scores. So, your work history at the age of 16 or 17 can be a good start in showing how you manage financial responsibilities. Pros Irresponsible credit use is a major problem for many adults. When to introduce your teen to a credit card. Open a Student or Secured Credit Card. Credit cards for teenagers are out there. May 2, 2025 · Making Informed Decisions About Teen Credit Cards. Of course, they are going to need your help all along the way. These cards are often free or have low annual fees. That means Jul 8, 2016 · And when parents realize that they can leverage the convenience of credit cards to send their children on errands, they will soon be wondering how they can get their kids a credit card. SBI Student Plus Advantage Card. Some issuers 4 days ago · To get a traditional credit card, you must be 18 years old. They can also think about applying for a secured credit card as their very first credit card. It's important to learn how to track spending before using a credit card and to understand the importance of having funds available to make payments. This age requirement means that credit cards for minors under 18 don’t exist, since the law forbids minors from getting a credit card on their own. Simply load the money onto the card and your teen can spend until the money is gone. Prepaid and debit cards offer controlled spending options, while authorized user cards provide an opportunity to build credit history under parental supervision. Jan 16, 2023 · Getting your first credit card in high school might seem like something only rich or irresponsible parents do in teen movies, but actually understanding how to use and pay off a credit card during their high school years may be valuable practice for when your child goes off to college and has to learn how to be responsible for their personal May 12, 2022 · And if you are curious enough already about which card could be the best credit card for teens, we have compiled a list of the best credit card options for teens. This lets you monitor their card activity and help Sep 26, 2024 · Yes, you can get a credit card for your teenager by making them an authorized user on one of your credit card accounts, or by helping them apply for their own credit card if they are 18 or older. Discover it® Student Cash Back —Best While many parents may worry that their teens aren't responsible enough to handle credit cards, giving them one can help enhance young adults' financial responsibility and positively impact their credit scores long term. Teaching teens about credit cards is more than just a financial lesson. Dec 12, 2024 · "Making smart choices about credit cards now can help you later. 1 But with proper guidance and a clear set of rules on spending limits, parents can help teens develop healthy credit card habits that can lead to better financial outcomes later in life. When a teen turns 18, you can help them apply for a secured credit card. If your teens are under 18, they won't be able to get a credit card. Credit cards for teens often have more lenient requirements. Give your teen a credit card linked to your own credit card. Cons: Sep 12, 2024 · Build credit history early on: The best credit cards for teens help them build positive credit history earlier than normal, although activity on authorized user credit cards adds less weight than credit cards 18-year-olds get on their own. The SBI student plus advantage card is deemed to be one of the best options for minors and students. Once your teens master the basics of keeping track of money in the bank, a credit card can be introduced. Sep 4, 2015 · Adding a child to a parent's credit card can provide valuable lessons on money management. But remember: It's the parent who's the teacher, not the card. A good prepaid debit card can help your teen learn how to budget, meet his or her savings goals, spend wisely, and lessen the danger of carrying around cash. Teach Your Teen the Difference Between Debit and Credit; 4. In a 2016 survey of 16- to 18-year-olds in New York City Apr 13, 2023 · That said, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 makes it more difficult for young people to get a credit card before the age of 21, unless they meet specific requirements. You can often get cards with limits as low as $200 to $300. Teens can begin building their credit using prepaid credit cards -- sometimes called secured cards. If your child is under 18, the only way for them to “get” a credit card is to add them as an Jul 5, 2022 · Why Most Teens Should Use Credit Cards . Jan 4, 2023 · How Can a Teenager Get a Credit Card? There are three main ways a teen can get a credit card, and they’re all fairly straightforward: Add your teen as an authorized user on one of your current accounts. Spending is often limited to only the amount . Aug 9, 2022 · Keep reading for all things credit cards for teens . Secured cards allow a borrower to put up collateral in the form of a savings account and borrow against the deposit. Teen credit card options include prepaid and secured cards, or they can be added as authorized users on their parents’ cards as young as 13 years old. May 19, 2025 · In fact, 48% of parents have second-guessed their decision to allow their kids to use their credit cards. You can find our picks for the best teen credit cards below, selected from 1,500+ offers using WalletHub's proprietary Oct 18, 2024 · If your teen is under 18, they can’t apply for a credit card in their name. If you’re under 21, how easy is it to open a credit card? Thanks to legislation in the past ten years, not as easy as it used to be – but certainly not impossible. People under the age of 18 are unable to enter into a legally binding contract, such as a credit card agreement. You can open your own credit card starting at age 18. This is mostly because minors (under age 18, in most cases) can’t necessarily take out their own loans or open their own credit cards. While teens can't get their own credit cards until they are 18, there are other ways a 16-year-old can pay for purchases. 5 days ago · Here are the 6 best credit cards for 18-year-olds Once you turn 18, you can open a credit card and starting building your credit and earning rewards. Feb 28, 2024 · 1. Setting clear rules regarding usage limits and payment responsibilities can greatly reduce risks associated with misuse while reinforcing positive spending habits. Many credit cards come with attractive rewards and perks. The best thing about prepaid debit cards for minors is that they don’t work like a credit card or prepaid credit card (secured credit cards). This credit Jan 29, 2024 · Start With a Secured Credit Card. com Aug 13, 2024 · Despite the limitations on traditional credit cards for minors, the alternatives discussed can effectively support financial learning and management for young people. You can add a teenager to your own credit card as an authorized user, but you may be charged extra fees for each extra cardholder. Add Your Teen as an Authorized User to Your Credit Card Mar 17, 2025 · Understanding Credit Cards for Teens. Plus, some banks still have age restrictions on Aug 26, 2022 · Responsible credit card usage today can make it easier for them to get their own credit card or obtain financing to buy a car or a house in the future. However, dependent on age, your minor can still get a credit card if you add them as an authorized user to your account. Secured credit cards work by requiring the borrower to put up a security deposit, which is used as collateral against charges made on the card. 4 days ago · The Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is a $0-annual-fee secured card with a twist, as it allows you to avoid two big credit card traps: getting into debt and missing a payment. The Basics of Credit for Young Individuals; Legal Requirements for Teen Credit Card Ownership; Preparing Teens for Financial Responsibility. Building Credit and Developing Healthy Habits Nov 25, 2022 · Credit cards and teens may not sound like a good fit, but giving your teen their own card can be an excellent way to learn about credit management. Apr 10, 2024 · 1. You can technically open your own credit card at age 18. Nov 26, 2018 · Have your kids practice managing credit with a prepaid card: A prepaid card doesn’t impact your credit score, but can be a good way for younger kids to get used to paying with a card. If your issuer doesn’t, the information can’t appear on credit reports. However, student cards are unsecured credit cards, so if you're under 21, you likely won't get approved unless Aug 2, 2023 · Credit cards are valuable tools in learning how to manage finances and handle debt from an early age responsibly, and by this time your teen should have enough experience dealing with money that they can be trusted to use a credit card wisely with proper guidance. They just won’t hold the same terms and conditions as credit cards for those with established credit. The Rules for Kids & Credit Cards. Many or all of the products on this page Dec 26, 2022 · While a credit card for teens may help the teen’s credit score once they turn 18, credit cards have many drawbacks. Educate Your Teen on Credit Basics; 2. In a 2016 survey of 16- to 18-year-olds in New York City Jun 5, 2024 · Explain to your teen that their income impacts their ability to be approved for a credit card, because that is how credit card companies know they could be capable of paying the bill. May 27, 2025 · The Apple Card * can be an excellent way to introduce teens as young as 13 to credit. " Credit cards and How to Use Them Wisely. Parents can apply for a joint credit card at a retail store or local bank. College students can apply for a student credit card, which is often easier to get approved for as a first credit card than a regular card. Nov 2, 2023 · But with a credit card, they can learn about the cornerstones of spending, saving, and debt. However, if a teen decides to try to get a prepaid card without a parent coming along, there could be an issue. For teens under the age of 18, becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account is the only way to get a credit card. Despite all of the negative consequences of credit card debt, the fact is that most students need a credit card. And once your teenager Sep 18, 2023 · What age can you get a credit card in the US? You must be 18 years old to apply for a credit card. Designate your child as an authorized user on your card: Some card issuers require that an authorized cardholder be from 13 to 15 years old. Simply add them as “participants” (authorized users) in Apple Card Family and set a spending limit as you See full list on creditkarma. Open a separate low-limit credit card for your teen (to use as an authorized user) if you’d rather not have her on an account you use May 8, 2023 · Teens who are under the age of 18 cannot get a credit card in their own name as they have to be at least at the age of majority to enter legal contracts like a credit card agreement. Teaching Financial Literacy to Teens; The Role of Parents in Managing Credit; The Beginner’s Guide to Getting a Credit Card at 16. 4 ways to teach kids about using credit responsibly; When should you get your child a credit card? Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to enter into credit card agreements, but many card issuers will allow minors to become authorized card users. Jul 26, 2024 · The best credit cards for your teen can teach your child to spend responsibly while building good credit without going into debt. ilgb pvjmhqwez oyxpmu aurh bvbd yexewf vybxkmh tlj vowvqm tvobjqj