THE GIST OF IT
- Cash App offers managed accounts (ages 6–12)1 and sponsored accounts (ages 13–17),2 both with built-in protections like 24/7 fraud monitoring and eligibility for FDIC pass-through insurance, subject to terms.3
- If you want more oversight, you can turn on real-time notifications, set tight spending limits, and block specific merchants or contacts.
- If you prefer fewer touch points, you can approve contacts, set one spend cap, and schedule automated allowance on a weekly or monthly cadence.
- You can lock the Cash App Visa® Card instantly from your phone if a card goes missing or you want to pause spending.
What Cash App for kids includes out of the box
According to Cash App's Raising Gen Alpha study, 72% of parents say their kids are ready for more financial independence than they currently have. The gap isn't about trust—it's about finding an account that lets you customize oversight to match where your kid actually is.
Cash App offers two account types depending on your child's age. A managed account (ages 6–12)1 is fully controlled from your own Cash App. Your child never downloads the app or logs in. A sponsored account (ages 13–17)2 gives teens their own app with your oversight built in.
Both types come with security built-in before you touch a single setting. Cash App monitors activity 24/7 for fraud, and all account funds are eligible for federal deposit insurance (FDIC) pass-through insurance up to $250,000, subject to terms.3 Sponsored accounts are private by default, discoverable only by exact $cashtag or QR code. And managed accounts can only receive money from up to five approved contacts.
The controls let you decide how much room your kid gets. They help you dial oversight up or down based on where your kid is and what you're comfortable with.
Controls for tighter oversight
If you want to see everything and approve before it happens, these settings are for you.
Turn on real-time notifications
For managed accounts, notifications are automatic. Every transaction, every time. For sponsored accounts, turn on notifications in the Family hub to get alerts for each purchase, transfer, and deposit your teen makes.
Set monthly spending limits
You can set a monthly cap on the Cash App Card. If your child has a $100 monthly limit and tries to spend $101, the purchase gets declined. Adjust the limit anytime as trust builds.
Block specific merchants
Sponsored accounts let you block specific merchants. If a store isn't appropriate, block it and the card won't work there. This feature is currently available for teen accounts only.
Restrict who can send money
For managed accounts, only the trusted contacts you approve (up to 5) can send money. For sponsored accounts, set contact permissions to "Approved contacts only" for maximum control; no one else can send your teen money without going through you first.
Turn on investing and set a monthly limit
Sponsored accounts let you enable investing in stocks and bitcoin.4 If you turn it on, set a monthly limit for how much your teen can invest. They can buy within that cap, but they can't exceed it. Investing in stocks and bitcoin is only available for teen accounts.
Controls for lighter oversight
If you'd rather set guardrails and step back, the account supports that too.
Approve contacts and set a spend cap
For a sponsored account, turn off "Approved contacts only" so your teen can receive money from a wider circle. For a managed account, approve 5 trusted contacts and leave it. Then set one spending limit and you're done.
Both managed and sponsored accounts are private by default—they won't surface in general Cash App search results. If "Approved contacts only" is turned off, someone would need to already know your teen's $cashtag, phone number, or email to find and send them money.
Schedule automated allowance
Set up a recurring transfer so allowance lands automatically on the schedule that works for your family. Choose weekly, biweekly, or monthly. The money shows up without you remembering to send it every time.
Let savings grow on their own
Turn on savings APY to earn 3.25% interest5 through Cash App's bank partner. Your child's savings grow without either of you doing anything extra. No minimum balance, no hidden monthly fees.
How to lock the Cash App Card instantly
Open Cash App, tap the card icon, and toggle the lock. The card is declined immediately for any new purchases.
Use this when a card goes missing, when you want to pause spending during school hours, or when you spot an unfamiliar charge and want to investigate. Locking takes one tap and works instantly. Unlocking is just as fast when you're ready.
How to set up a Cash App account for your kid
Setting up a managed account (ages 6–12)1
Open Cash App and go to the Money tab. Tap Family, then Add. Enter your child's information to create their managed account.
From there, add up to 5 trusted contacts. These are the only people who can send your child money. Order a Cash App Card so they can spend in stores and online. Then configure spending limits and merchant controls to match what makes sense for your family.
Your child doesn't need a phone or an app. Everything runs through your Cash App, and you see every transaction as it happens.
Setting up a sponsored account (ages 13–17)2
Open Cash App and go to Family. Send an invite to your teen. They download Cash App on their own device, accept the invite, and link to you as their sponsor.
Once connected, you configure which features are available (investing, sending money, contact permissions) and set spending limits. Your teen uses their own app. You maintain oversight from yours.
When your kid is ready for more independence
Managed accounts transition to sponsored accounts at 13. Sponsored accounts move to full adult accounts at 18.
You'll know they're ready when they stay within limits without reminders, check in before big purchases, and can walk you through where the money went last month. Those habits matter more than age.
The transition happens in the same app with the same account. Nothing resets. If you're ready to give your kid an account that grows with them, download Cash App and set up their profile today.
