Apple App Store Rating: 4+ Google Play: E (Everyone) Owned By: PayPal Kids n Clicks recommendation : 13+ |
Using apps like Venmo can teach students valuable financial skills, such as managing money and making electronic payments. However, these conveniences also come with privacy risks. It’s important for parents and students to understand how to maintain privacy and safeguard their transactions.

What is Venmo?
- Functionality: Venmo is a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app that lets users transfer money using a connected bank account or a Venmo Debit Card.
- Social Features: Although not a traditional social media app, Venmo incorporates social elements, allowing users to share and comment on transactions with friends.
- Educational Tool: Some parents use Venmo as a way to teach their children financial responsibility.
Availability
- App Accessibility: Available on both Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Ownership: Venmo is owned by PayPal and operates out of New York.
- Age Restriction: Venmo’s services are not intended for children under 13.
Benefits of Venmo for Students
- Easy way to split costs and pay friends for shared expenses like meals, rent, utilities, etc.
- Convenient for receiving money from parents or for part-time jobs
- Can link to bank accounts or debit cards to easily transfer funds
- Allows sending payments with fun notes and emojis

Dangers of Social Payments
- Public Profiles: Transactions and locations might be visible on a student’s public Venmo profile or linked Facebook account unless privacy settings are adjusted.
- Privacy Risks: Other users can tag your child in transactions, which can be visible to a wider audience if profiles are not set to private.
- Recommendations: Venmo advises users to transact only with people they know to avoid scams and misuse.
Venmo in the news


Venmo’s social elements will be limited to your actual friends on the app in the “friends feed” without you having to toggle any features in the app.
Potential Risks to Be Aware Of
- Impulsive spending due to ease of payments
- Possible exposure to explicit content in payment notes
- Risk of scams or fraud if not careful about recipients
- Privacy concerns if settings are not properly configured
Safety Tips for Parents and Students
- Safety Tips for Student Venmo Users
- Set transactions to “private” to protect privacy and avoid sharing payment details publicly
- Use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication
- Only send money to people you know and trust in real life
- Be wary of scams – don’t send money to strangers or for “too good to be true” offers
- Monitor account activity regularly and report any suspicious transactions
Venmo Parental Controls for Teen Users
- Parents can set up and monitor Venmo Teen Accounts for users ages 13-17
- Allows parents to view transactions, set spending limits, and lock/unlock the linked debit card
- All teen transactions default to private for added security
- Parents receive notifications on account activity
Encouraging Responsible Use
- Financial literacy: Advise students not to store large amounts of money in Venmo and to use a debit or credit card with additional payment protections.
- Password Security: Stress the importance of using strong, unique passwords for each account and not sharing them with friends.
- Positive Sharing: Encourage students to avoid publicly sharing transactions or tagging others without permission.
Conclusion
Venmo offers a convenient way to handle money, making it easier for students to pay for outings and split bills without awkward conversations. By understanding and managing the social features of Venmo, students can enjoy the benefits of the app while maintaining their privacy and security under parental guidance. This approach helps build financial acumen and responsibility from a young age.