My 10-year-old daughter Olivia recently attended a birthday party for two of her classmates, who were turning 11. When my daughter returned from the party, she was excited about one gift both girls received – a prepaid credit card.

“Daddy, can I have one of those cards?” Olivia pleaded.

“No, not happening,” my husband said.

Not daunted, Olivia protested that the card wasn’t “really” like a credit card.

Olivia explained that this type of card had similarities to a gift card. You can only spend the amount of money you’ve loaded onto the card. However, what’s insidious about this particular card is that it looks like a traditional credit card, logo and all. It can be used at places that accept credit cards.

I’m sure the person who gave those little girls those cards thought it was cute. He or she probably thought it was harmless.

However, make no mistake about it, a prepaid credit card in the hands of a child sends the wrong message. It disconnects the child from the reality and limitations of using cash. Studies show that when you use plastic to pay for things, you tend to spend more money.

I’m not a fan of many prepaid cards because of the numerous fees. But it wasn’t the fees that bothered my husband and I. It was the idea that children are being trained to use credit-like products at a younger and younger age.

“Giving your kids credit cards is like letting them use drugs early so that they won’t turn into addicts,” says Janet Bodnar, columnist and deputy editor for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and author of “Raising Money Smart Kids.”

Will some of you have a child who is responsible enough to handle credit well? Sure you will. But it’s also more likely that your child will do what many adults do – misuse and overuse the plastic devil.