eBay Safety Guide for Parents
What parents need to know about eBay — scam risks for young sellers, address privacy, account security, and safe online marketplace habits.
Official age
18+
We recommend
18+
Developer
eBay Inc.
Risks
3
Overview
eBay is one of the world's oldest and largest online marketplaces, allowing individuals and businesses to buy and sell new and used goods via auction or fixed-price listings. eBay officially requires users to be 18, but teenagers sometimes use parent accounts or create accounts with false ages. eBay is a trusted platform with established buyer and seller protections, but it is also a major target for scammers who specifically target inexperienced sellers — including teenagers.
How children use it
Teenagers typically use eBay to sell items they no longer want — old games, clothes, electronics, and collectibles. Some use parent accounts with permission; others create their own accounts. Buying is also common, particularly for collectibles, trading cards, gaming equipment, and fashion items.
Main risks
Recommended privacy settings
Shipping Address Privacy
Location: eBay account settings → Shipping
Set to: Use a click-and-collect or post office address rather than home address where possible
When selling on eBay, your address is shared with buyers for shipping purposes. Consider using a parcel collection point rather than a home address.
Blocked Buyers List
Location: Account → Site Preferences → Buyer Requirements
Set to: Set requirements to block zero-feedback or unverified buyers
Scam buyers often use new or low-feedback accounts. Setting buyer requirements to exclude such accounts reduces exposure to scams.
Parent actions
If your child wants to sell on eBay, supervise their first few transactions to ensure they use eBay's payment system only and understand the shipping and returns process
Time: 30 minutes
Explain common eBay scams: buyers claiming non-delivery, overpayment scams (sending more than the price and asking for a refund), and messages asking to transact outside eBay
Time: 20 minutes
Ensure your child's eBay account has a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication enabled to prevent account takeover
Time: 10 minutes