When is a teenager responsible enough to manage his own checking account?

Yes, it's none of your business, but you certainly are allowed an opinion. If this boy's parents take care of his statements and cover his overdrafts, they're basically funding him and rescuing him from debt, but they're not teaching him anything except that he can do whatever he wants, screw up, and mommy and daddy will bail him out. He doesn't deserve a laptop since all he'll do is play around on it.

You have two different questions here. One about whether someone should have a laptop computer and why. The other question about when is someone responsible enough to have a checking account.

There are hundreds of reasons what he could use a laptop for including using Microsoft Money and reviewing his checking account online.

The checkbook issue is a bit more complicated...

If he spends money without consideration of what is in his checking account and has to ask for more money from his parents, he's not responsible enough. He'd need to work hard enough to earn enough AND be conscient of how money he could and should spend.

We all spend our time and money in different ways and no one is as efficient with their time and money as they should. Computer games and chat rooms are a waste of time as could be Yahoo Answers. If I were his parents, I'd cut him off financially and say "anything you want, you have to work and save for it!"

I guess there are two questions here.

I don't think age is the issue with the checking account, the issue is the kid isn't playing with his own money, he has an endless supply of his parent's monopoly money. Sounds like he has learned to play by the rules he has been given.

As far as the lap top. He probably doesn't need one, but they sure are cool to have.

It really isn't any of your business, Mr. Buttinsky! If as you say, it really is the son of your friend (and not actually YOUR son and your embarrassment requires your anonymity) then it's up to the kid's parents and why he would need a laptop for ANY purpose is simply not your concern. And, why they would they need or want child rearing advice or opinions from you? Who appointed you the neighborhood Ann Landers? Live your own life, pal. Butt out!

If he is eighteen then by law he is responsible. But they have given him everthing that he ever wanted up until this point so they really can't expect him to be responsible when it comes to money. I took care of my banking transactions from the age of 14 and now, when i get pay, i know where every sent has gone.

I would say 18 is old enough but if you have someones parents whose bailing them out what's the point. That's not teaching him responsibility and when they put their foot down he probably won't know how to manage it at this point. Because their letting him get things out of want and not necessity.

By law, it should be 18 years. But if a child is not matured mentally, he should not be given such opportunity to operate his account alone.

This is going to sound harsh...but it's none of your business.

Should they be doing these things....no.

But if that's what they want to do and evidently it is that's their family business.

Friends are good to have but there are boundaries.

depends. many adults arent responsible enough to manage their checking account...

When he gets a job