Would they be given their own credit card, or would it be under the parents? Over here minors can't enter into debt contracts like credit cards, so it'd be a direct debit until they are adults.
The minor wouldn't be the actual person entering a debt contract here, the parents are agreeing to be responsible for the debt. The minor is only an authorized cardholder.
Think business accounts. The name on the card might be some agent of the company but they're not directly responsible for paying the debt. The business is responsible for the debt.
> In basically all of the western world minors can enter into debt contracts, but are generally not seen as particularly creditworthy.
No, that's not legally permitted in many places. I was under impression that minors can't enter into debt contracts anywhere in EU, but that, too, was an incorrect assumption.
I was under the impression they could do it but there was a high chance of a debt like this being unenforceable, so companies don't want to. Or maybe that's another way of saying they can have debts but not debt contracts.
I think you mean debit card? In the UK at least you need to be 18 to agree to agree to a direct debit too. Rarely comes up since they're mostly for bills, but e.g. for a phone/SIM on contract it has to be in a parent's name for that reason.
Think business accounts. The name on the card might be some agent of the company but they're not directly responsible for paying the debt. The business is responsible for the debt.