Fidelity Youth Investing Account
This is an example of a teen-focused investing account. It gives teens ages 13 to 17 a real brokerage account they can use themselves, with a parent involved for oversight and funding.
Disclosure: This site is not affiliated with Fidelity. Fidelity is used here as a real-world example because it is the platform the author currently uses with their own children. This page is for educational purposes only and does not provide investment advice or recommend any specific products.
What It Is
A youth investing account is different from a custodial account. With a youth account, the teen is the account owner and uses their own login, while a parent helps set it up and keeps visibility.
The teen can view the account, place trades, and learn how markets work using real money.
A parent or guardian sets it up, can fund it, and can keep an eye on what is happening.
Why This Can Be Useful
It teaches investing with real consequences, not just simulations
It helps teens build long-term habits early
It makes concepts like diversification and compounding feel real
It can be a safe way to learn if the account has clear guardrails
Guardrails to Use on Day One
The goal is learning, not gambling. Guardrails protect the teen, and they also protect the parent from surprises.
- Start with a small amount of money that is safe to lose
- Default to broad index funds or ETFs instead of picking single stocks
- Use simple rules: no margin, no options, no day trading
- Limit how often trades can happen, for example once per week or once per month
- Review activity together, and focus on what was learned
Key Takeaway
A youth investing account can be a powerful learning tool when it is used with clear rules. Keep it simple, start small, focus on diversification, and treat every trade as a lesson, not a bet.