When Should a Child Have Their Own Email Account?

The pressure is real. Even five-year-olds may “need” or want an email account just so they can play games like Pokémon Go. Should you let them use your email address, or should you create a new one just for them?

An email address is often the gateway to many other online activities. Kids might be eager—or even tempted—to set up an account themselves to sign up for their favorite apps.

Schools today also commonly issue email addresses to students starting around middle school or sometimes even