A system and method enabling people, including children, to shop on-line in a safe and secure manner. A gift card having a predetermined monetary value is purchased by a parent, friend or other third party. An account is established in conjunction with a web site with a starting account balance related to the predetermined monetary value. As a user shops at the web site, their account balance is reduced as items are purchased. One or more filters are used to limit the types of products that can be purchased on the web site. Such filters may relate to a user's age, gender, hobbies or interests, price range, media maturity rating, and so forth. In the preferred embodiment, consent information is received in conjunction the COPPA (Child Online Privacy Protection Act) or other applicable law(s). The consent information includes usage options, opt-out provisions, child master records information, etc. The method further includes the step of funding the account by a third party. In the preferred embodiment the initial and subsequent funding, as well as the purchase prices for goods / services are in a whole dollar amounts to simplify buying. A desktop icon is preferably provided that allows access to the web site through a single click, and / or graphically indicates a user's available funds. The system may further allow a user to purchase music, video, games or other media through a source other than the web site.