Teenagers will be able to buy (almost) anything over the net
with the launch of '02 money'. A mass roll-out of Visa cards for
teenagers is to begin this summer, with 02 launching Britain's
first cash card from a mobile phone network that will allow
youngsters to buy virtually anything over the internet
02 is targeting children as young as 13 with the card, which it
expects to replace traditional pocket money.
It revealed that the average age at which a child obtains a
mobile phone is now just eight years old, and that one in five
children are already pinching their parents' debit or credit card
to buy goods on the net, such as music downloads.
The 02 card will be called Load and Go and will be launched in
mid-August, with NatWest providing payment processing. Parents will
be able to transfer money on to the card over the internet, and
teenagers will be free to use it to buy goods on the high street
and online, and will be able to withdraw cash from ATMs.
Every time the card is used, a text message will be sent to the
cardholder informing them of the remaining balance.
It said it will put in measures to prevent children buying
pornography, 18-certificate DVDs and alcohol online, and will seek
parental approval before issuing the card.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/jul/15/02-cash-cards-visa
Ukash is Europe's fastest growing online payment
solution, enabling people anywhere in the world to shop pay and
play online using cash, providing freedom from credit and debit
card fraud and protecting personal identity.
Mark Chirnside, CEO, Ukash comments,
"The uptake of 'unbanked' young people using Ukash vouchers to
pay for gaming online has seen significant increase over the years.
Our one-time use e-cash vouchers have been a secure and easy way
for parents to exchange cash for a Ukash voucher and then give it
to their children to shop, pay or play online. This move by 02 will
hopefully open the door for all online retailers to broaden their
payment facility options to other alternative payment methods."
www.ukash.com