Can young teens get credit cards. Here's what you need to know.
Can young teens get credit cards. Teenagers love to spend money, even when they don’t understand it. If your child’s college or university offers a credit card, take care to review the terms offered. Aug 26, 2022 · Helping your teen build a strong credit score? This guide explores giving teens credit cards, including pros, cons, and tips for responsible credit card use. Jun 5, 2024 · Take the opportunity to teach healthy habits while your teen's credit slate is clean. Check out the best kids’ debit cards. Teens under 18 may qualify to become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card. Sep 16, 2025 · 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. If you’re under 18, you’ll need to be added as an authorized user to start building your credit until See full list on cardrates. Consider giving your teen hands-on experiences so they can learn how to use a credit card safely and effectively. The BusyKid card is safe, secure, and convenient, and parents can get up to five cards when they enroll in BusyKid. Understanding these avenues and regulations is an important step Dec 12, 2024 · After reaching age 18, your teen can get free credit reports once a year. Becoming an authorized user or getting a secured card can help. The best credit cards for teens have low credit requirements and keep costs to a minimum. The parent is responsible for the balance, so if the teen doesn't pay, the parent's credit takes a hit. Sep 12, 2024 · Other types of cards, including secured credit cards and student credit cards, can be accessed by young adults who are at least 18 years old and have their own income to report. For many parents, the notion of helping you get a credit card when you are under 18 is scary. 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. 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. Today, you can't get a credit card unless you are: 21 years old or older Under 21 but opening the credit card account with a parent Under 21 but can prove you Aug 21, 2019 · Parents can use credit or debit cards to help teenagers, with close supervision, learn responsible credit behavior and establish credit. May 8, 2023 · 10 Best Credit Cards For Teens Teenagers can take their finances to the next level with credit cards that offer rewards and cashback. Jul 10, 2025 · Thinking about giving your teen a credit card? Learn the pros and cons, explore safer alternatives like savings accounts, and get tips to help your teen build smart money habits for the future. Dec 5, 2023 · We reviewed dozens of the best credit cards for teens and graded them based on the annual fee, APR, intro bonus offer, and the cash back rate. Teaching teens credit responsibility can build a lifetime of good credit habits. Jul 30, 2018 · While there's no perfect age for teens to get their first credit card, parents can prepare their kids for the responsibility early on. Shop for a credit card with your teen, comparing interest rates and annual fees. Jul 18, 2025 · Teens can apply for their own credit cards when they turn 18. Nov 2, 2023 · The BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Card for kids and teens will help give them financial freedom without the potential pitfalls that credit cards bring. Teens under 18 need parental permission to get a credit card -- often with the parent required to co-sign for the credit. 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. Many young individuals, including teenagers, wonder about obtaining a credit card. Knowing how to use a credit card responsibly is a key life lesson. However, teens aged 13, 14, 15, and so on, may become authorized users on an adult’s account if the bank allows it. Get tips for responsible credit card use for teenagers. Oct 7, 2025 · The best credit cards for teens can help you save money and build credit if you’re 18 or 19 years old. Whether your teen is too young for high school, taking out student loans along with other college students, or simply starting to work, credit card companies have taken notice and are doing everything to lure them in. Although laws from the Consumer Financial Apr 13, 2023 · It can be hard for 18-year-olds to get approved for a student loan or credit card. But can and should a teenager get a credit card? Below, we discuss credit cards for teens and other alternatives, such as prepaid debit cards. Teens can get credit cards with a parent's permission at banks, credit unions and some department stores. Below are truly the best of the best credit cards for teenagers. Mar 17, 2025 · Many people use credit cards, so teaching teens about good money habits early is essential. Mar 28, 2025 · Discover the best types of credit cards for teens and how they can help your teenager build financial skills. Jun 26, 2025 · Teenagers must be 18 or older to apply for a credit card in their name. I like the Discover it ® Student Cash Back(Rates and fees) and Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card for Oct 13, 2025 · There are many debit cards for teens to choose from, but some are better than others for teaching important money skills. Read on to find the best cards for teens that are easy-to-get and are inexpensive. Before this legislation, roughly a third of American teens had credit cards. You can help teens under 18 build credit by adding them as an authorized user on one of your credit cards. Oct 1, 2025 · Authorized Users | Prepaid Cards Best Cards for Adding Teens as Authorized Users One of the easiest ways to help your teen start building credit is to make them an authorized user on a credit card in your name. It will teach them money management and how to use money that you can’t see. 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. 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. 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. May 27, 2025 · Getting your first credit card is a big deal, but not every card is available to teens. com Sep 30, 2025 · To get a traditional credit card on your own, you must be at least 18 years old. 6 days ago · With responsible use, credit cards can help teens build credit and learn good credit card habits. 5 days ago · Learn about the best credit cards for teens, must-haves in a first credit card, who can qualify and alternatives that can help you build credit or make purchases easily if you’re not quite old enough to qualify for your own card. In either scenario, the best credit cards for teens come with valuable benefits, rewards and low fees. . Despite the risks, credit cards do offer some tangible financial advantages for young people. Sep 18, 2023 · Credit cards can be a great tool for building credit and improving your financial standing. A student or secured card can be a good credit card for teens 18 or older with little to no credit history. May 19, 2025 · Few credit card companies issue credit cards to teens under the age of 18, even if they’re able to provide these two requirements. If your teen is at least 18, they can apply for their own credit card. While the path to credit card access for teens differs from adults, various options exist that align with responsible financial practices. Apply for one of 2025’s best credit cards for teens. Jan 8, 2014 · How to give your teen a credit card – and why you should. For many, the best approach to get your teen a credit card is to add them as a secondary, authorized user on your account. So, to be clear, minors can’t get a credit card on their own, but 18- and 19-year-old teenagers can. Aug 26, 2025 · Credit cards can be a useful financial tool, offering convenience and a way to establish a financial history. Here's what you need to know.