Venmo is a convenient way to send money to friends and family. Until recently, users needed to be at least 18 years old to create an account. Now, teenagers as young as 13 can have an account with parental supervision. This guide will walk you through the steps of setting up a Venmo account for your teenager.
Step 1: Parent's Venmo Account
To start, the parent needs to have a Venmo account. Open the Venmo app on your phone. There are two ways to add a teen account:
- Via the Cards Page: Click on the "Cards" page and you'll see the option to add a Venmo Teen Account.
- Via the Me Section: Go to the "Me" section, click the arrow next to your name, and select "Create a Teen Account".
Step 2: Set Up the Teen Account
Click "Get Started" and choose the color of your teen's card. Next, fill out your child's full legal name and address. This step does not involve picking a username; it requires the child's legal information. At the bottom, certify that you are the parent or legal guardian. Only parents can sponsor a teen on Venmo.
Step 3: Receive and Activate the Debit Card
After completing the previous steps, Venmo will mail you the debit card. You can add funds to your teen's account or skip this step. At this point, you’ve created a debit card for your teen, but they don't have access to the Venmo app yet.
Step 4: Give App Access
To allow your teen to use the Venmo app, continue the setup process. Choose whether your teen can be found in Venmo's search. If not, others can only pay them using a QR code. Enter your teen’s phone number, which is required to set up their Venmo account. Without a phone number, the app cannot be set up, but the debit card can still be used.
Step 5: Teen’s Side of the Setup
Your teen will receive a text message with a link to download the Venmo app from the Play Store. After installing Venmo, they might need to revisit the invite link. The invitation will guide them to "Get Started," enter their phone number, and confirm with a code.
Step 6: Finalize the Teen Account
Your teen will fill out their information, including their full legal name and a username. This username will be used for others to find them on Venmo, so choose wisely. The teen account is now set up.
Monitoring and Privacy
As a parent, you will be able to see all activity in your teen’s Venmo account. For debit card purchases, you can see where the purchase was made but not the details of what was bought. For example, if $20 is spent at Walmart, you will see the transaction but not the specific items purchased. You will also see the details of money sent and received in the app.
Additional Resources
For more information on no-fee debit cards and bank accounts for teens and kids, and why Venmo should not be the only banking option for your teenager, check out my video linked here.
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