Teens definately NEED to get prepared for the real world.
It is a great idea to teach how to maybe "think" about how they are spending. Lets say for example you put $50 on the card. Some teens would spend it in a day. How many do you think would really think "ahead" and stretch it out so to speak? Some but not many so it may help to teach them self control. Especially if the need to refill the card with their own $$.

thank you, it's very encouraging! it makes me feel that i am on the right track after all. I appreciate your opinion. i am also showing schools, the way this card can be used as Fundraiser opportunity. i think it's good, when a Fund-raise offers educational/money management tool and at the same time helps student and school together.

I think it is a great idea. It can help them to be responsible, learn about money, and help them prepare for the real world. Promote the prepaid Visa card for teens as an educational tool. They have it to use for an emergency, books, school, random purchase at the mall, or a gift for you. Also, they probably feel cool or proud to even have one. That can promote self esteem and let them know that you trust them enough to even have one.

I just came across a similar type of Visa/Mastercard for the first time, in a local store. There was a "special promotion" whereby the initial $9.95 cost to buy/load/activate the card would be "rebated." It could be "reloaded" with more money for an additional $4.95 fee each time. I had no plans to "reload it" but thought it would be a great idea as a birthday gift for my nephew at college, until I read the "fine print."
Apparently, this particular card has a $4.95/month usage fee, AND if you don't use the card for 90 days after the card is purchased, there's a $4.95/month fee that's deducted regardless.
My nephew's birthday isn't until spring... By the time I sent him the card, the value of the card would already be reduced, and that's before the actual usage fee. Forget it ~ I'll send him a check!

There are pre-paid cards out there that do not cost a transaction fee and it is a Visa or Mastercard.

I personal had my son when he was 16 get a teen account for savings and checking and he work during the summer he put most of his money in his saving account and held back what he thought he would need till next payday. when he turned 18 the bank automaticaly gave him an overdraft protection of $500.00 along with a visa card. So, now that he is in college he has so much money ($75.00) a month in case he needs anything and he knows if he does not use it. He will not get another $75.00 I know that sounds crazy but he actually thinks this is a test so for two months out of this semester he has not spent a dime. Yeah sometimes I have to play with his mind. but all is good. I will say it is hard to say No to your children but it is something that has to be done from time to time

you are right, but for someone who doesn't have good credit in order to have a credit card, or they don't have checking or savings account, it might be useful. But in this case, talking about kids, you are very lucky to have such a responsible son. And for you this card will not add any value. I hope when my kids get older, i will be as lucky! thank you

I'm not a fan of paying money to use my own money. If I have to prepay for a card, and then get charged fees to use my money, I can't see the value in it, but some people might.

I've got an 18-year-old and he's been nothing less than responsible with checks, both mine and now his, and he hasn't even used the credit card he was given in case of emergencies.

When he needs cash, he goes to the ATM of our bank, and withdraws $20-40 and uses that as long as makes it last. He rarely takes money out. Our bank doesn't charge monthly fees or ATM fees, so I'm very happy with this arrangement.

yes, like any other service it has a charges, but there are not high and there are no hidden charges. You can pay 0.99 a month and every transaction is 0.99,which is probably will stop your child from using it with out the good reason.If your teen will use the card a lot, you can do 9.99 a month and all transactions are free. Would you think it's a lot?

I like the idea of getting notification when your teen uses the card. I would agree with odachimaster regarding teens learning responsibility for money. They have to learn how to budget that money to make it last for a month. And, they have to keep track of what they spend.

However, if there is a fee attached to using the card on a monthly basis, that's not so cool.

with this card you get alerts on your email or cell phone, that tells you where, when and how much was spend. You can even turn it on or of anytime you want, or turn it on only for one transaction and then it would turn of automatically. Also you get online statements, which is another good tool for teens, on how to budget and monitor there spending.

the difference is you can reload it, you can transfer funds to the card from your choice of accounts(checking, savings, credit card) and what i think is great, that when your child uses the card, you get text message on your cell phone. It tells you where, when and how much was spend. When your child is away or it's emergency and they need money, you can reload it right away, using your cell phone.

I think these cards could serve a good purpose- especially for older teens who are out away from their parents more often. I wouldn't want to get my teen a credit card and this is a great alternative as an alternative fund. It could teach them to be responsible for their own spending.
The one thing I like about cash is you always know exactly how much you have- so that could be a problem with the card. I think you'd have to make sure your kid was in the habit of recording and keeping track of his spending.

Do the parents have to pay a fee beyond placing a balance on the card to sign up for it? I definitely wouldn't do it if that was the case. Perhaps that's the trouble you're running into?

How does this differ from a gift card?

thank you, i think it's a good think to have this card, but for some reason i can't find maybe right approach to parents, for them to see what you just mentioned. thank you

We are talking teens 9th-12th grade. I think it is great. put a preset limit (just like their allowance)
you have say $50.00 for the month when that is gone you have nothing and do not bother me about anymore money period. (I would want them to agree with this first)
Then of course they run out half way through the month. You do not give them any money and hopefully the next month they can go longer.
I think one of the major things that happen when they go to college is they get a credit card and can not handle it.
I think by starting them out a couple of years earlier they have a better respect for everything that goes along with having a credit card.
I equated to my daughter as how many hours of work is it going to cost you? is it still worth buying? Most of the time it was not it was just a spur of the moment thing