How to Get a Debit Card for Your Teen
Have you ever thought about teaching your teen financial literacy? Well, getting them a debit card is a great start. A debit card helps them understand banking basics like spending and tracking account balances. They can use their debit card to buy things they need, even when you're not around. Here's how to get a debit card for your teen.
Should my teen have a debit card?
The first step is deciding whether your teen is ready for a debit card. Here's how it can benefit them.
Convenience
With a debit card, your teen can easily buy the things they want or need, even when you're not with them. They can grab an after-school snack, go to the movies with friends, or buy a tank of gas for their car. You won't need to worry about keeping cash on hand for their allowance or earnings. You can transfer money seamlessly from your bank account.
Build financial independence
A debit card provides a unique opportunity to teach your kids financial literacy skills. They'll learn to monitor their funds and budget for their future purchases.
Unique features especially for teens
Some debit cards are designed with teens in mind. They include special features such as automated allowance to their card, real-time spending alerts for parents, cash back on spending, and easy ways for others to send them money directly.
Greenlight's debit card has all of the above and more. Get access to its Level Up financial literacy app that teaches teens the principles of saving, earning, and spending in fun, bite-sized lessons. Level Up’s best-in-class curriculum includes exciting games that encourage your teen to keep learning and reward them when they win.
Understanding the different types of debit cards for teens
There are two main types of debit cards for teens — a prepaid card or a debit card tied to a bank account. If you go for the first option, a prepaid card, you can preload it with their allowance money or chore earnings. If you’re concerned about your teen overspending their card funds, you can rest easy knowing that prepaid cards automatically decline transactions that exceed the account balance. Most prepaid cards charge a monthly service fee, and you and your teens can monitor their balance and spending patterns through a banking app or website.
If you choose the second option — a debit card — your teen receives the benefits of a prepaid card, plus additional perks like direct deposit. However, most banks require parental permission before opening a teen bank account, and there may be age restrictions.
Greenlight combines the features of prepaid and debit cards in one package. You and your teen can monitor account activity through our website or app, and there are no hidden overdraft fees to worry about. Plus, you can preload their card with funds whenever you like.
How to choose the right debit card for your teen
Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about how to choose the right card for your teen. First, consider their needs. For example, a working teen receiving a regular paycheck may benefit from having direct deposit tied to their debit card, like Greenlight. Parents seeking to boost their teen's financial literacy skills can look for options that offer helpful lessons in personal finance. Greenlight’s app features the Level Up game, which teaches teens the principles of personal finance using short videos, Q&As, and scenarios.
Also, consider the parental controls available. Greenlight’s debit cards include spending caps, which you can place on specific spending categories or stores. You can also use parental controls to approve and deny money movement between accounts.
Steps to get a Greenlight debit card for your teen
Ready to take the leap? Awesome! Here's how to get your teen their very own Greenlight debit card.
1. Download the Greenlight app
Greenlight’s money app and debit card for kids and teens is free* for Sturgis Bank families!
2. Create a Greenlight account
To open a Greenlight account for your teens, sign up as a parent or guardian. You can complete the process online — it only takes a few minutes to add up to five kids and teens to your new Greenlight account!
3. Set up your Parent's Wallet
Once you complete the sign-up process, transfer money from your debit card or bank account to your Parent's Wallet. You'll use the Parent's Wallet to fund your teen's account. Your teens can also add their own funds using direct deposit or receive payments from friends and family — with parent approval on each transfer — using Greenlight’s Paylink feature.
How long does it take to get a debit card?
Greenlight's debit cards arrive within 7-10 business days of opening your account. You can track the shipping status through the Greenlight app. We also offer expedited shipping for an additional fee.
Teaching your teen how to use their debit card responsibly
Once your teen receives their debit card, it's important to teach them how to use it responsibly. Here are a few tips.
Ask your teen to download the banking app²
Greenlight's app includes features to track spending and account balances. Teens can view their personal account balances and transaction history, while parents can view up to five kids’ balances in their app. After making their first purchase, open the app and show them how it impacts their balance.
Encourage budgeting
Your teen will quickly discover there are limits to spending. Help them track their purchases and set a reasonable weekly limit to live within their means. You can create budget categories for saving, spending, and investing. Motivate them to save a percentage of earnings or allowance and watch their balance grow over time.
Use parental controls
Parental controls allow you to set spending controls on certain categories or on specific stores. You can implement parental controls and gradually remove them as your teen gets more comfortable managing their money.
Debit cards can help teens develop financial independence
With a debit card, your teen can learn valuable lessons in financial literacy, like money management. And, when you sign them up for a Greenlight debit card, they can earn cash back on spending and interest on savings. Get started with Greenlight today!
Greenlight is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Greenlight app facilitates banking services through Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), Member FDIC.
*Sturgis Bank customers are eligible for the Greenlight SELECT plan at no cost when they connect their Sturgis Bank account as the Greenlight funding source for the entirety of the promotion. Subject to minimum balance requirements and identity verification. Upgrades will result in additional fees. Upon termination of promotion, customers will be responsible for associated monthly fees. See terms for details. Offer ends 9/30/2025. Offer subject to change and partner participation.
**Funds underlying the Card Account are FDIC-insured up to $250,000.
© 2025 Greenlight Financial Technology, Inc. Patents Pending. The Greenlight card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International.