Many people will notice that more and more teenagers are getting credit cards even when they are not legally able to own one. This is possible because many parents often attach a teen to their account to allow for authorized charges to be made by the signing teen responsible. This may have varying degrees of severity, especially when your trust in your teenager is lacking.
Making mistakes is a big part of growing up. Many teenagers view a credit card as a way of getting money quick and easy. Little do they know that the money that you get from a credit card needs to be repaid quickly before you get charges interest and other fees. Having a card to use that they have to repay to you can be a great learning tool for them.
You might think that it is a bad idea to give a teenager a credit card, especially if you do not have funds to cover any mistakes they might make. Do consider this though, have you made a mistake because you took out a credit card application and were accepted then having a shopping spree only to fins out a few minutes later that you went over the limit? If yes then you could tell them about your experience and how you do not want them to go through that.
Many credit card companies will allow for you to attach another person to the account under any name at no extra cost. This can be very risky, especially if you give the rights for a non mature person to make mature purchases upwards of large quantities of money. There can be much tension between those teens and their parents once such a mistake has occurred.
If you really want your teen to have a card for emergency purposes, then it is possible to discuss the importance of credit cards and the responsibilities associated with them. This allows them to take in a few moments of thought to process what responsibilities are and thus making them at least a little more responsible with the card when you give it to them.
You can actually help the young person build up a healthy credit when giving them access to a credit card. This also helps them to build healthy spending habits while learning to manage their own accounts. Say that you want to give them an allowance to spend with the card, but they have to repay the amount with their work. That is valuable experience that can be used to higher their knowledge of the adult world.
Closing Comments
Teens and credit cards do not always mix. There are some teens who are genuinely responsible and should be given a chance to use a credit card for emergencies or as a learning tool for their future. - 15431
Making mistakes is a big part of growing up. Many teenagers view a credit card as a way of getting money quick and easy. Little do they know that the money that you get from a credit card needs to be repaid quickly before you get charges interest and other fees. Having a card to use that they have to repay to you can be a great learning tool for them.
You might think that it is a bad idea to give a teenager a credit card, especially if you do not have funds to cover any mistakes they might make. Do consider this though, have you made a mistake because you took out a credit card application and were accepted then having a shopping spree only to fins out a few minutes later that you went over the limit? If yes then you could tell them about your experience and how you do not want them to go through that.
Many credit card companies will allow for you to attach another person to the account under any name at no extra cost. This can be very risky, especially if you give the rights for a non mature person to make mature purchases upwards of large quantities of money. There can be much tension between those teens and their parents once such a mistake has occurred.
If you really want your teen to have a card for emergency purposes, then it is possible to discuss the importance of credit cards and the responsibilities associated with them. This allows them to take in a few moments of thought to process what responsibilities are and thus making them at least a little more responsible with the card when you give it to them.
You can actually help the young person build up a healthy credit when giving them access to a credit card. This also helps them to build healthy spending habits while learning to manage their own accounts. Say that you want to give them an allowance to spend with the card, but they have to repay the amount with their work. That is valuable experience that can be used to higher their knowledge of the adult world.
Closing Comments
Teens and credit cards do not always mix. There are some teens who are genuinely responsible and should be given a chance to use a credit card for emergencies or as a learning tool for their future. - 15431
