Table of Contents
- The best debit cards for kids and teens, compared
- Why I wanted a debit card for my children
- Are debit cards for kids safe?
- Setting expectations with your child
- How I chose a debit card for my children
- Factors to consider before selecting a debit card for your child
- How to sign your child up for a debit card
- The bottom line
- FAQs
Money Credit Cards
Article updated on Aug 23, 2024
Help your children learn financial concepts and build wise money habits with the help of these debit cards.
Why You Can Trust CNET Money
Our Experts
Written by Toni Husbands Staff Writer Toni Husbands is a staff writer with CNET Money who enjoys exploring topics that promote financial wellness. She began writing about personal finance to document her experience paying off $107,000 of debt, which is detailed in her book, The Great Debt Dump. Previously, she contributed as a freelance writer for websites, including CreditCards.com, Centsai and Wisebread. She was also a regular contributor to Business AM TV, and her work has been featured on Yahoo News. Being a part-time real estate investor and amateur gardener also brings her joy. Evan Zimmer Staff Writer Evan Zimmer has been writing about finance for years. After graduating with a journalism degree from SUNY Oswego, he wrote credit card content for Credit Card Insider (now Money Tips) before moving to ZDNET Finance to cover credit card, banking and blockchain news. He currently works with CNET Money to bring readers the most accurate and up-to-date financial information. Otherwise, you can find him reading, rock climbing, snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors.
Edited by Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog. Kelly Ernst Editor Kelly is an editor for CNET Money focusing on banking. She has over 10 years of experience in personal finance and previously wrote for CBS MoneyWatch covering banking, investing, insurance and home equity products. She is passionate about arming consumers with the tools they need to take control of their financial lives. In her free time, she enjoys binging podcasts, scouring thrift stores for unique home décor and spoiling the heck out of her dogs.
Reviewed by Anna N’Jie-Konte Certified financial planner and director of Re-Envision Wealth Anna N’Jie-Konte is the president and director of financial planning for Re-Envision Wealth, one of the few black-owned advisory firms in the country. She is among a small group of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) certified financial planners to give comprehensive, holistic financial advice. She currently serves as a financial adviser and investment consultant to individuals and institutions hoping to build wealth in an intentional and values-aligned fashion.A proud first-generation American with roots in Puerto Rico and Gambia, N’Jie-Konte is committed to the economic liberation of Black and brown communities. She spent nearly a decade advising ultrahigh net-worth families ($5 million and above) to grow and secure their wealth for future generations. She left the corporate world in the hopes of giving women like her -- Black women, Latinas, daughters of immigrants -- the blueprint for leveraging their incomes to build and protect their wealth.N’Jie-Konte also sits on the board of the Finserv Foundation, has been named three times to the Investment News’ list of Top 100 Influential Financial Advisors, and has been featured in well-known publications.
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid.
Reviews ethics statement-
Best overall
Greenlight Debit Card for Kids
Learn More
-
Best for financial literacy tools
BusyKid Debit Card for Kids
Learn More
-
Best security features
GoHenry Debit Card for Kids
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-
Best for any age with no monthly fees
Step Card for Teens
Learn More
-
An interest-earning account
Axos First Checking
Learn More
-
A good option for Chase customers
Chase First and High School Checking
Learn More
Best overall
Our Experts
Written by Toni Husbands Staff Writer Toni Husbands is a staff writer with CNET Money who enjoys exploring topics that promote financial wellness. She began writing about personal finance to document her experience paying off $107,000 of debt, which is detailed in her book, The Great Debt Dump. Previously, she contributed as a freelance writer for websites, including CreditCards.com, Centsai and Wisebread. She was also a regular contributor to Business AM TV, and her work has been featured on Yahoo News. Being a part-time real estate investor and amateur gardener also brings her joy. Evan Zimmer Staff Writer Evan Zimmer has been writing about finance for years. After graduating with a journalism degree from SUNY Oswego, he wrote credit card content for Credit Card Insider (now Money Tips) before moving to ZDNET Finance to cover credit card, banking and blockchain news. He currently works with CNET Money to bring readers the most accurate and up-to-date financial information. Otherwise, you can find him reading, rock climbing, snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors.
Edited by Tiffany Connors Editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog. Kelly Ernst Editor Kelly is an editor for CNET Money focusing on banking. She has over 10 years of experience in personal finance and previously wrote for CBS MoneyWatch covering banking, investing, insurance and home equity products. She is passionate about arming consumers with the tools they need to take control of their financial lives. In her free time, she enjoys binging podcasts, scouring thrift stores for unique home décor and spoiling the heck out of her dogs.
Reviewed by Anna N’Jie-Konte Certified financial planner and director of Re-Envision Wealth Anna N’Jie-Konte is the president and director of financial planning for Re-Envision Wealth, one of the few black-owned advisory firms in the country. She is among a small group of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) certified financial planners to give comprehensive, holistic financial advice. She currently serves as a financial adviser and investment consultant to individuals and institutions hoping to build wealth in an intentional and values-aligned fashion.A proud first-generation American with roots in Puerto Rico and Gambia, N’Jie-Konte is committed to the economic liberation of Black and brown communities. She spent nearly a decade advising ultrahigh net-worth families ($5 million and above) to grow and secure their wealth for future generations. She left the corporate world in the hopes of giving women like her -- Black women, Latinas, daughters of immigrants -- the blueprint for leveraging their incomes to build and protect their wealth.N’Jie-Konte also sits on the board of the Finserv Foundation, has been named three times to the Investment News’ list of Top 100 Influential Financial Advisors, and has been featured in well-known publications.
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid.
Reviews ethics statementWhy You Can Trust CNET Money
Table of Contents
- The best debit cards for kids and teens, compared
- Why I wanted a debit card for my children
- Are debit cards for kids safe?
- Setting expectations with your child
- How I chose a debit card for my children
- Factors to consider before selecting a debit card for your child
- How to sign your child up for a debit card
- The bottom line
- FAQs
Best overall
Greenlight Debit Card for Kids
Written by
Toni Husbands
Staff Writer
Read more from Toni
Toni Husbands is a staff writer with CNET Money who enjoys exploring topics that promote financial wellness. She began writing about personal finance to document her experience paying off $107,000 of debt, which is detailed in her book, The Great Debt Dump. Previously, she contributed as a freelance writer for websites, including CreditCards.com, Centsai and Wisebread. She was also a regular contributor to Business AM TV, and her work has been featured on Yahoo News. Being a part-time real estate investor and amateur gardener also brings her joy.
Written by
Evan Zimmer
Staff Writer
Read more from Evan
Evan Zimmer has been writing about finance for years. After graduating with a journalism degree from SUNY Oswego, he wrote credit card content for Credit Card Insider (now Money Tips) before moving to ZDNET Finance to cover credit card, banking and blockchain news. He currently works with CNET Money to bring readers the most accurate and up-to-date financial information. Otherwise, you can find him reading, rock climbing, snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors.
Advertiser Disclosure
CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.
