Should a 17 year old have a debit or credit card?
Sophia Koch
Updated on February 18, 2026
Debit and credit cards can help parents teach teenagers about money. Either credit or debit cards can be good teaching tools, but each one has differences parents and teens should consider. Debit cards don’t let teens pile up debt, but credit cards can help them build credit and offer better consumer protections.
Can a 17 year old get a Mastercard?
Teens must be the legal age of majority before they can get their own credit card without an adult co-signer. The age of majority is 18 years old in: Alberta. Manitoba.
What debit card can a 17 year old get?
Visa Buxx card: the debit card designed for teens. A reloadable prepaid card that’s accepted all over means freedom for your teens and peace of mind for you.
What percent of 13-17 year olds have a credit card?
About a fifth of teenagers ages 13-17 (19 percent) hold a credit card as an authorized user on a parent’s or guardian’s account. Even more Gen Zers are getting accustomed to using plastic, with 40 percent having their own debit card.
How can I Help my 18 year old get a credit card?
You can help your teen build an impressive credit history before they reach adulthood. Just add them as an authorized user on your account and consistently make payments on time. When they turn 18, their credit may be strong enough to expand their card options considerably.
Can a 18 year old apply for a debit card?
Most bank debit cards come with a Visa or Mastercard logo and can be used anywhere Visa or Mastercards are accepted. Keep in mind, debit cards may also incur fees, depending on the bank’s policies, and the card’s activity doesn’t count toward building credit. Once you turn 18, you can apply for a credit card on your own.
How to start building credit at age 17?
How to start building credit at 17 To start building credit at 17, you would need to be listed on a credit-related account like a credit card or loan. Contrary to popular misconceptions, you can’t build credit with a regular bank account like a checking account, savings account, debit card, or just getting a job. It takes credit to build credit.
How old do you have to be to get a credit card in Canada?
Legally, no one can get a credit card on their own unless they’re at least 18 years old, or the age of majority in their province or territory of residence. Credit cards for minors under 18 are only permitted when they’re added an authorized user on someone else’s account — like their parents’.