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Giving your child a debit card is a big step toward helping them build the financial savvy they’ll need to thrive as adults. You want to teach them the basics of smart spending and saving, but you also want to protect them from scammers and other security threats. You want to do it with the convenience and ease of digital banking, which makes it simple for you to automate your child’s allowance, while also introducing them to the cashless world of modern spending and saving.
With parent-supervised Cash App accounts [1], children as young as 6 years old [2] can get a debit card of their own. They’ll learn skills like managing a budget, saving towards a goal and tracking their spending with your close supervision, along with the Cash App security features you already trust with your own money.
Here’s what to know about getting a debit card for your child, plus how Cash App keeps kids and teens safe as they learn financial skills that will last a lifetime.
What age can a child get a debit card?
Kids and teens ages 6-17 can get a debit card when a parent or guardian signs them up for a no-subscription-free, parent-controlled Cash App account. Managed Accounts are for young children ages 6 to 12 [2], while Sponsored Accounts are specifically for teens ages 13 to 17 [3].
Both types of accounts include a debit card for your child, giving them a physical symbol of the digital dollars in their account and a sense of responsibility over money in a near-cashless world.
Parent-managed money app for kids
Cash App Managed Accounts are ideal for children ages 6-12, who can benefit from learning the foundations of personal finance at an early age. These digital financial accounts for kids are fully parent-controlled, with money management taking place entirely within your Cash App account.
Because there’s no way for your kid to access the app directly, you and your child manage the money in the account together. They’ll learn basics like setting savings goals, spending within a budget and watching money grow thanks to compound interest, all with your close supervision and guidance.
In Managed Accounts, your child will also receive a customizable physical Cash App Visa Card. Although the card has their name on it, you’ll set all the guardrails for how they use it. You can limit spending, block transactions with certain merchants and lock or unlock their debit card instantly to set sensible boundaries and teach financial literacy.
A secure money app for teens and parents
Teens ages 13 to 17 thrive when they can practice the real-life skills they’ll need as adults in a safe, supportive environment. Even as they’re taking on new responsibilities and spreading their wings, they’re still kids, and they still need strong parental oversight, especially when it comes to managing money.
Cash App created Sponsored Accounts to give teens a taste of independence as they spend and save, while also giving parents a sight line into account activity. These are more collaborative than Managed Accounts: Teens can manage money from their own Sponsored Account, which has its own $cashtag and customizable debit card. But parents still have ultimate veto power over spending, plus the ability to see all transaction activity and set limits in their own Cash App under the “Family” tab.
Built-in safety protections for all ages
You already trust Cash App to keep both your money and data secure*. The same robust privacy and security features are in place for Cash App Families accounts, with added parental control over spending limits and other built-in protections designed to keep kids and teens safe.
As a parent, you have complete control and visibility over both Managed Accounts and Sponsored Accounts. Young children can’t ever access Cash App directly, and they can only receive person-to-person transfers from up to five trusted Cash App accounts you approve. Teens can access their own feature-limited Sponsored Account, but you can control how much they spend and where they can spend it easily and instantly from your own Cash App.
Real-time alerts, spending limits, instant debit card locking and full access to monthly statements and transaction history aren’t the only safety features in Cash App. Your children receive advanced fraud protections 24/7, and the app automatically blocks unsafe debit card transactions made at age-inappropriate merchants.
Managed and Sponsored Accounts are also private by default, meaning they’ll be hidden in search and no profile photos will be displayed. Cash App Families accounts are also eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance of up to $250,000 [4], subject to terms.
Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about opening a Cash App account for your child or teen.
FAQ
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No. Children ages 13 to 17 can only get a debit card with parental approval by opening a Cash App Sponsored Account.
What is the difference between a Managed Account and a Sponsored Account in Cash App?Managed Accounts are specifically for kids ages 6 to 12 and are fully controlled by the parent, with no direct access to the app — all activity happens inside the parent’s app. Sponsored Accounts for ages 13 to 17 allow teens to log into their own Cash App account, but with limited features and parental controls in place. Both types of accounts come with a physical, customizable debit card with your child’s name on it.
Can anyone send money to my child's Cash App account?Not for kids ages 6 to 12. With Managed Accounts, parents can approve up to 5 trusted friends or family members who are able to send peer-to-peer to the child’s account. Teens ages 13 to 17 with Sponsored Accounts can send and receive funds from other Cash App users. However, both types of accounts are private by default, meaning they can only be looked up in search with your child’s exact $cashtag or QR code.
Can a child use their Cash App Card at an ATM or buy cryptocurrency?It depends on the age of the child. Managed accounts for kids ages 6-12 block the use of debit cards at ATMs or to make cash deposits [7]. They’re also blocked from peer-to-peer transactions and investing in stocks or Bitcoin [6].
With Sponsored Accounts, teens ages 13 to 17 can withdraw from ATMs and deposit cash with their debit cards. However, they can only access features like Bitcoin investing and stock trading with parental approval.
Is the money in a child's Cash App account protected?All funds in both Managed and Sponsored Accounts that are not invested or held in Bitcoin are eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance for up to $250,000 via Cash App’s partner banks.
Disclosures
* Block, Inc. Q1 2026 Shareholder Letter.
[1] Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). See cash.app for more details. Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand.
[2] Parents and legal guardians can open a managed account for kids 6–12. To view the eligibility requirements, please visit the Sponsored Accounts section of the Cash App Terms of Service.
[3] Teens 13 to 17 can use Cash App with sponsorship by an eligible parent or guardian. To view the eligibility requirements for sponsoring a teen, please visit the Sponsored Accounts section of the Cash App Terms of Service.
[4] With a Cash App Card, your money is eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Sutton Bank, and/or The Bancorp Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, for up to $250,000 per customer when aggregated with all other deposits held in the same legal capacity at each bank, if certain conditions are met. See the Cash App Terms of Service. Cash App is a financial services platform, and not an FDIC-insured bank. Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Bitcoin and Investing balances are not covered by FDIC pass-through insurance.
[5] Cash App will pass through a portion of the interest paid on your savings balance held in an account for the benefit of Cash App customers at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. To earn interest on your Cash App savings balance, you need to have sponsor approval. Exceptions may apply. Savings yield rate is subject to change.
[6] Brokerage services provided by Cash App Investing LLC, member FINRA / SIPC, subsidiary of Block, Inc. See our BrokerCheck. Stablecoin, Bitcoin Map, and Lightning Network are not available to New York residents. Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. Bitcoin services are not licensable activity in all U.S. states and territories. Block, Inc. operates in New York as Block of Delaware and is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Investing and bitcoin are non-deposit, non-bank products that are not FDIC insured and involve risk, including monetary loss. Cash App Investing does not trade bitcoin and Block, Inc. is not a member of FINRA or SIPC. For additional information, see the Bitcoin and Cash App Investing disclosures. Fractional shares investing may involve additional risks such as non-transferability. For additional information regarding the unique risks and limitations of fractional shares, please see your Investing Customer Account Agreement.
[7] Service fee may apply. See terms for more details.
