Debit cards for kids can be a great way to teach ... For example, you should be able to use a debit card for both online purchases and in-store purchases, as well as at ATMs.

Getting credit cards for kids can age you. I should know; even though I write about credit cards for a living, the idea of sharing my carefully curated credit score with my kids was harrowing.

Erin Bendig has extensive experience in various areas of personal finance. She previously worked as a staff writer for Kiplinger.com, focusing primarily on savings accounts and banking. In ...