Card for a 15years old (will be 16 in June)

[IandC]

Hi, what sort of card would you recommend for a 16years old? I would like to be able to put money on it (from my account) for him, track his spending, set a limit etc. He is starting his sixth form in September and I dont want him to buy train and bus tickets, or pay in McDonalds etc by cash. He is very reliable but I still would like to keep an eye on him and of course he could start to learn how to handle his money etc. I would prefer sthg free or very small annual fee. I have heard that hyper jar would want him to request an adult card when he is 16? Is that correct? 🤷‍♀️🤔 Any advice appreciated. Thank you

Why can't he have a bank account with debit card? My 2 got them at age 11. Why such a need to track his spending when he is nearly 16?

Just get him a bank account with debit card for goodness sake. If he is old enough to have sex (in a few months) he is old enough for a bank account.

Monzo or starling? Normal bank is fine but this might be easier if he doesn’t handle cash much.

Hellocatshome, dont need to be rude, I was asking for advice, I DID NOT SAY i dont want him to get a normal bank card, I was wondering what options are out there, and yes I wanted to track his spending as he never handled money before.
He does not like to go out with his friends at all, he is more of a sitting at home playing on ps, reading his books etc boy bless him. So pls no nasty comments. Thats not why I have turned to this group. Thank you

I’d also recommend just a normal bank account with debit card. He can register for online banking and you can start with providing some pocket money. If he can show you he is sensible, you can take it from there.

I've just got my 11 year old DD a normal debit card with Barclays (other lending establishments are available!) and she then downloaded an app to her phone so that she can see what she's spent and what she has to spend. She's done a good job of passing on her bank details to grandparents so that she's in credit!

I’ve got 2 different cards for my 14yr old: bank account with debit card from a high st bank (pocket money etc goes in there, she has the app and is good at using it), and a daily use card attached to my Starling account. It’s a debit card specifically for one pot/space in my Starling account that I keep at about £10, and she uses it for occasional Costas etc. Any spend pops up on my phone, really easy. I’d recommend it. I like knowing that she’s not risking losing her own debit card, just a card with less than £10 on!

No you are too late with this. I got my dd a go Henry card at 12 (you can track, set limits etc). But she's 16 now so has her own bank account and debit card - Santander 123 account which I believe gives more interest than most. She can't go overdrawn on it. She has X amount every month and it's up to her whether she blows it all on a pair of jeans or sweets or saves it to earn more interest.
I don't think you should be tracking his spending.

The best way for him to learn is to let him get on with it. He doesn't really need you watching his every move

Metro is really good. I’d get one with an online app and have a condition that you both download it and have access if you really want to see his spending. But mine have had cards with eg TSB or Metro since about 11. They can’t get an overdraft or anything.

He needs a teenage account and a debit card, only by trying to control his own money will he learn how to do so.

Ok thanks everyone. I think you are correct, I need to let him handle his money, get a normal bank card for him and I will not check it. Oh dear, they are growing up way too fast.😭