Student bank accounts and overdrafts – bad advice from MSE?

inthezeroroom

I have one child at uni already and another about to start. Both already had bank accounts yet both asked me if they should get a student bank account. A couple of years ago, we opted for one which had a £100 intro bonus, and this was to my mind the only reason to have it. If you read any guide to student bank accounts (including MSE), the advice is always to 'go with the largest interest-free overdraft' (to be fair, the range of goodies currently on offer is rubbish with the possible exception of Santander's four-year Railcard). Now, as a former debt-ridden student (many years ago) and now concerned parent I think this is terrible advice! The last thing an 18 year old needs is a credit card, and the second to last thing they need is an overdraft. I just think it starts them off on the wrong path. It's cynical of the banks to lure them in with the offer of 'free money' and irresponsible of sites like MSE to recommend them. What do people think?