Teens and young adults trying to build an all-important credit history might do well to piggyback.

However, this is not playground roughhousing.

Rather, piggybacking — or becoming an authorized user on a parents’ credit card and riding on the back of their solid credit — is a popular but somewhat controversial strategy that can help make a positive first impression with the three major credit bureaus that monitor bill-paying activity.

That boost can pay dividends down the road when it comes to landing a job, taking out a mortgage for that first home, and insuring the first car.

Being an authorized user on mom or dad’s account gives junior charging privileges, and hopefully a good credit score, but no responsibility for paying the bill, and technically no obligations if problems occur.

Two caveats:

First, if the actual account owner can’t pay the bill and it results in a negative credit item being reported, the authorized user’s credit also could be hurt, according to the editors at CreditCards.com. Second, not all credit card companies report authorized users to the credit bureaus. That’s because piggybacking was abused during the mortgage meltdown when people with bad credit paid businesses to be matched up with someone with good credit. Then, the “authorized user” with a borrowed credit score qualified for a home loan or his own credit card.

While establishing a credit history can be tough, especially if you are young, living at home, and don’t have bills to pay, there are numerous strategies besides piggybacking that can jump start the process.

If your college student is sharing an apartment this fall, for example, make sure that the electric bill, cable or something else is in his name. Paying like clockwork every month can build up credibility with lenders. Of course, skipping a monthly payment can turn a payment history upside down.

Credit card reform laws require applicants under 21 to show they can pay their own bill or have a parent or other family member co-sign to get a card in their own name.

To make sure credit is used responsibly, monitor the account or set limits on the charging, said Eric Bell, founder of the YoBucko financial education website. If your child can’t pay the debt, the co-signer is responsible for the payment. Search for the best student cards at sites such as CardRatings.com, Bankrate.com and LowCards.com.

Secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit into a bank account that becomes the credit line for the card, can be a safe way to build a credit history. You can only spend up to the available limit. But, again, not all card issuers report account activity to the credit bureaus.

Many parents don’t realize that a debit card won’t help their offspring build a credit history because the usage isn’t reported to the credit bureaus. An exception may be a handful of prepaid debit cards, but the trade-off may be higher fees, said Bill Hardekopf, publisher of the LowCards.com website.

However, debit cards may indirectly help you establish credit. If the bank monitoring your debit activity notices that you are responsibly handling money, credit card applications might start coming your way.

Then, the credit game won’t be kids’ stuff anymore.