 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bill My Parents
Common Sense Media says
Site institutionalizes "the gimmes" but allows veto power.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this site allows kids to charge purchases on pre-selected sites to the credit cards of their parents, grandparents, and other adults in their life who sign up for this service. The site is free to sign up with but charges 50 cents per Internet shopping cart transaction.
What's it about?
BILLMYPARENTS allows teens to charge Internet purchases on select gaming sites, amazon.com, and other online affiliated retailers without a credit card in hand. Teens and parents (and other adult relatives and friends the teen solicits) sign up for the site, and the parent inserts a credit card number. After the teen shops online and "makes" a purchase, the parent gets the chance to approve or veto it before it's officially charged. The credit card is charged 50 cents extra per shopping card transaction for use of the service.
Is it any good?
There might be a good application of this site, because it keeps the actual credit card number out of the hands of the teen, and monitors the purchases before they are officially charged. In practice, however, the mental and emotional hit a teen may get from just going through the process of making the purchase online and the subsequent headache the parent will get from having to say no will likely be more of a hassle than a help. Perhaps for college kids who are away at school, this might prove to be
an efficient means for parents to keep tabs on expenditures -- and may be easier to say no from afar.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about smart use of credit cards, budgets, and forethought in purchases. Talk with your teen about your family's policies when it comes to online shopping and credit cards. If your teen registers for this site, discuss what other adults in their life -- grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult friends -- you approve of them approaching about signing up their card, which could be a rude, presumptious, or downright dangerous proposition if not handled properly.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Love the prepaid card idea. Finally some freedom to spend my money on what I want without having to ask my parents for their credit card. I love the Myplash card I have which is similar to the Bill My Parents system they have going on. Love it!
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AGE
The site essentially works like a "Wish List" for kids to pick what they want to buy online, like for their birthday, and then the parent decides what to pay for.
The parent also does not have to give their payment information to each site that the child wants to buy stuff from. Similar to paypal they can keep their credit card info secure for use on just one site.
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AGE
Love it!!!!
I got cards for my kids.. love it!!!!
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AGE
Good idea gone wrong!
I too loved the concept behind this company and its website but needed to cancel my main card that it drawled from. That's when I realized that the website won't let you change anything. I couldn't change bank account, addresses or cancel the card itself or better yet the actual account. Also there isn't a email address under contact us that will get you to a customer service person. Now I just feel trapped. Parents be careful...I still haven't been able to close this account. I have found a better way threw our chase bank for my 15 yr old son.
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AGE
A Middle School Essential
I am going into seventh grade and the whole family thinks the prepaid card (they now have an option!) is the perfect transition from the weekly treat system
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AGE
BillMyParents Cards Rock!
I think BillMyParents is an awesome sight because it really does help with the teenagers spending money. I have three teens at home and they all have a card. I put $25 on it a month and they know thats all they get, unless they are going out of town for some reason. The teenager that knows how to do it the best is 14 years old. My others are 13 and 16. This card is great. It is so much better than a bank card on it to. The kids love it because over the holidays, there aunts and uncles can put money on to it instead of getting them actual gifts. I totally reccommend it.
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AGE
Customer DISservice
The card would be ok but it didnt really teach them anything they couldnt learn with cash. My key thing was their customer service I need to cancel my daughters cards. Initially i was only calling for refund information because I intended to cancel only one card but after such a negative experience with your ill equiped and unhelpful customer service I need to cancel both cards so I dont have to have any further contact with Bill my parents ever again. Customer service should be just that not treating a customer like a criminal by giving them 2 chances to answer a question. The bank doenst even do that, they allow you to verify other items even if one item can not be verified, this is a prepaid card for christ sake with 2 small balances. If I was a criminal I wouldnt waste my time on these accounts. Considering the cash belongs to me I would have appreciated assistance on how to proceed IF I decided to cancel, which now that decision has been made for me. Your hours for the credit dept is during normal work hours (9-5) and I have to wait for them to call me I cant call them so Im not sure how Ill ever get this straightened out. Maybe that is by design. PS pray you never get Emily on the line because all she will ever say is NO Ma'am/sir because she cant do anything about anything
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| Genre: | Creating |
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