 TITLE: What Should Kids Use a Credit Card For? CONTENT: When to Get Your Kids a Credit Card\n-----------------------------------\nIf you're deciding when to get your child a credit card, current legal guidelines can help. To sign a credit card contract, a person has to be at least 18 years old, ruling out younger kids who want their own card. Instead, you can make a minor child an authorized user on your personal account. Many issuers (such as Capital One and Chase) have no age restrictions, though some require authorized users to be teenagers.\nWhen you authorize your child to use your account, a card imprinted with his or her name will be issued. Your child then has the right to charge with it. If that makes you nervous (understandable, especially if you have a high limit), you may ask the issuer to set a lower credit line for the user. As the account owner, you maintain total control. You can and should impose rules for access. For example:\n*   Preteens may not carry the card but can use it under your direct supervision.\n*   Young teens may have access to the card under certain circumstances.\n*   Older teens may carry the card in their wallets or upload the account information to their mobile devices.\nIf you don't want the card to be used at specific places or over a certain amount, say so. In fact, write it down. This way you can avoid \"But you said…\" conversations later. END