How kids can make money on Facebook Marketplace

Main takeaways

🛑 Age matters – Kids under 18 can’t sell directly on Facebook Marketplace, but parents can help manage listings and payments.

🧺 Selling = learning – With guidance, kids can learn entrepreneurship by selling items like clothes, toys, and gadgets online.

💡 Alternatives exist – If Facebook isn’t an option, platforms like eBay or Mercari are great for teens (with adult supervision).

Have you ever wondered if your child can make money by selling things online? One popular platform that allows people to buy and sell products is Facebook Marketplace, where you can find everything from electronics to furniture and even clothes. But how does a kid get involved in selling on Facebook Marketplace? What are the rules, and how can they manage the money they make? In this article, we’ll explore how your child can make money on Facebook Marketplace, how to sell things there, and how Modak Makers can help them manage and grow their earnings.

What is Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell items within their local community. It’s available as part of Facebook and allows users to list used or new items for sale. People use Marketplace to sell everything from furniture and electronics to clothes, toys, and even cars.

It’s easy to access through the Facebook app or website and is a popular alternative to other online selling platforms like eBay or Craigslist. But before diving into how your child can use Facebook Marketplace, there are some important things you should know.

How old do you have to be to use Facebook Marketplace?

You might be asking, "How old do you have to be to have Facebook?" or "How old do you have to be to access Facebook Marketplace?" These are great questions, especially when considering allowing your child to start selling items online.

Facebook requires that users be at least 18 years old to access Facebook Marketplace. This is because Facebook wants to ensure that users are of a legal age to enter into contracts and make transactions online. So, can a minor use Facebook Marketplace? Unfortunately, no. Facebook Marketplace is only available for users 18 and older. This rule is in place for safety and to prevent any legal issues that may arise from minors making financial transactions.

However, that doesn't mean that kids can't still get involved in other ways. Parents can help by setting up accounts, and older teenagers may be able to sell items with parental supervision, if allowed by Facebook's policies.

Can minors use Facebook Marketplace?

If you're wondering, “Can you sell things on Facebook Marketplace as a minor?”, the short answer is no. Facebook's terms of service specifically limit access to Marketplace to those who are 18 years of age or older. However, if your teen is under 18, they can still be involved in the process by partnering with a parent or guardian who can list and manage the products.

Parents can help by:

Creating a Facebook account for the child if they don’t already have one, keeping in mind that the child must be 13 or older to have a Facebook account.
Managing the Facebook Marketplace listings, communicating with potential buyers, and handling payments. Note that the parent or guardian's Facebook account will be the one connected to the Marketplace for managing transactions and listings, as minors cannot directly access Facebook Marketplace.

Sell on Facebook Marketplace with Modak’s help

💰 Smart money, made simple – Modak lets kids manage earnings from sales with their own VISA® debit card.

📲 Easy payments – Teens can get paid through links or QR codes—no cash, no hassle.

🏃‍♂️💵 Earn while walking – Modak rewards kids with real money just for being active through its Walk to Earn feature.

How to sell on Facebook Marketplace

If your child meets the age requirements and is ready to start selling on Facebook Marketplace, here’s how they can get started:

Create a Facebook Account: If your child doesn’t already have a Facebook account, they’ll need one to access Facebook Marketplace. Keep in mind that users must be 13 or older to create a Facebook account.
Find Facebook Marketplace: Once logged into Facebook, the Marketplace option should appear in the main menu. If it’s not visible, you may need to update the Facebook app or check settings to ensure Marketplace is enabled.
Post an Item for Sale: Posting on Facebook Marketplace is simple. Click the "Create New Listing" button, and fill in the details such as item name, description, price, and photos. Make sure the photos are clear, and the descriptions are accurate to attract buyers.
Set a Price: Decide on a price for the item. It’s important to research similar products on Marketplace to ensure the price is competitive.
Communicate with Buyers: Once the item is posted, people may reach out with questions or offers. Keep communication polite and professional to ensure a smooth transaction.
Arrange Payment: Once the item sells, you’ll need to finalize the payment. Facebook Marketplace does not handle payments directly, so you and the buyer will need to work out a payment method. Common payment methods include cash, PayPal, or Venmo.

What happened to Facebook Marketplace?

You might be wondering "What happened to Facebook Marketplace?" Facebook has made various updates to Marketplace over the years, including adding new features and improving the search functionality. These updates make it easier to buy and sell, but the basic concept has remained the same.

However, Facebook Marketplace fees have evolved. Does Facebook Marketplace charge fees? The answer is yes, but only in certain circumstances. When selling items through Facebook’s payment system, there may be a small processing fee, but listing items is generally free. Always be sure to check the latest information on Facebook’s help pages for any updates regarding fees.

Alternatives to Facebook Marketplace

If Facebook Marketplace isn’t an option for your child, don’t worry! There are plenty of Facebook Marketplace alternatives where kids and teens can sell their items online. Some of the most popular alternatives include:

eBay: Great for auction-style listings, especially if your child has rare or collectible items.
Poshmark: Ideal for selling clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Mercari: Another app for selling clothes, electronics, and other goods.
Craigslist: A classic platform for local selling.

Tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace

To help your child succeed in selling on Facebook Marketplace, here are a few tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace:

Take Good Photos: Clear, well-lit photos help buyers see what they are purchasing and make the listing more appealing.
Write Detailed Descriptions: Make sure the description accurately describes the item and includes any important details such as size, condition, and brand.
Respond Quickly: Answer buyer inquiries quickly and politely to keep the conversation going.
Be Honest: Always describe items honestly, including any flaws or damages. This builds trust with buyers.
Price Fairly: Research similar listings to ensure your prices are reasonable.

Managing earnings with Modak

Once your child starts making money from selling on Facebook Marketplace, it's important to manage those earnings wisely. This is where Modak Makers can help.

Modak offers a VISA® Debit Card¹ for kids and teens, which allows them to easily manage their earnings from platforms like Facebook Marketplace. With Modak, teens can track their income and ensure their money is safely stored in their account. Modak also offers a unique MBX rewards system, where kids can earn points for completing challenges in the app, including the popular Walk to Earn feature. By walking 5,000 steps each day, kids can earn up to 70 MBX per week⁽²⁾⁽³⁾, which they can convert into real money (USD) and add to their Modak card.

Additionally, Modak simplifies the payment process for teens selling on Facebook Marketplace. Instead of dealing with cash, teens can easily receive payments via payment links or QR codes. When they make a sale, they can send a payment link directly to the buyer. Buyers can then complete the payment securely through methods like PayPal or Venmo, making the transaction smooth and fast.

For in-person transactions or when buyers are nearby, QR codes can be used to receive payment instantly. Teens can generate a unique QR code through the Modak app, and buyers can scan it to send money directly to their Modak account. This method offers an easy and secure way for teens to get paid without worrying about cash handling or bank account details.

Using Modak not only helps kids track their earnings from Facebook Marketplace but also teaches them valuable financial skills like budgeting, saving, and goal-setting—through gamification. The added convenience of payment links and QR codes ensures that the financial management process is simple and secure for your teen.

Conclusion: Start selling with confidence

Facebook Marketplace is a great platform for teens and adults to buy and sell items. While minors cannot directly access Facebook Marketplace, parents can help manage the account and the sales process. It’s a fun way to learn about entrepreneurship, communication, and money management.

And with Modak Makers, your child can track their earnings, set savings goals, and even earn rewards for healthy habits like walking. It’s the perfect app to help your child become financially savvy while making money through platforms like Facebook Marketplace.

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Checking account and the Modak Visa® debit card issued by Lewis & Clark Bank, Member FDIC. Funds deposited into checking account may be eligible for up to $250,000 of FDIC insurance. The FDIC’s deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured depository institution.
100 MBX = $1(as of June 2024). This is an approximation and not a guaranteed result. For more information on MBX, visit: Click here for more information on MBX
Walking 5,000 steps a day gives users 10MBX (as of June 2024). This is subject to change at Modak’s discretion
Fees for expedited or premium services may apply. Find out more in our Cardholder agreement.

How your kid can make money on Facebook Marketplace (and actually manage it)