“Can I order Crumbl cookies?” my 15-year-old asked one Friday night at 9:30 p.m. I didn’t hesitate to say yes, especially since she offered to use her own money and Uber Eats to deliver. We live in a metro area and use the service frequently. My daughter knows to let the driver leave the order on the porch and drive away before she opens the door.
But if my girl had asked to use Uber for Teens to go pick up cookies on her own, I’m not so sure I’d say yes. The ride-hailing service started offering teen accounts in May 2023, and it’s been gaining traction ever since. But how does Uber for teens work anyway? And the bigger question many moms (including myself) wrestle with answering is: Is Uber safe for teens? Well, let’s figure it out together!
How does Uber for Teens work anyway?
Standard Uber accounts are for riders 18 and older. However, Uber offers a specific solution for families through their Teen Accounts program, available in select locations. These accounts are designed for riders aged 13 to 17 and are managed through a parent’s Uber Family Profile. It’s similar to setting up a kids’ account on many streaming services.
Teen Uber accounts come with the same safety features as the standard version. However, for Teen Accounts, the safety features are automatically turned on and can’t be turned off. Each ride offers PIN verification to ensure teens enter the right vehicle and real-time notifications for parents to track their teen’s trip live through the app (much like Life360). Plus, teens can choose to set up the audio recording feature.
For teen rides, Uber claims to maintain stricter driver requirements. Only drivers who have completed at least 100 trips with Uber and consistently maintain a rating of 4.5 stars or higher are eligible to receive teen ride requests. All Uber drivers must also maintain a clean driving record with no major violations and pass an annual background check.
So, it seems easy enough to understand how Uber for Teens works, but is it really a good idea for your teen to use it? Let’s look at the pros and cons.
The Pros of Uber for Teens
1. It’s convenient.
Many moms already feel like unpaid Uber drivers, constantly shuttling kids from one place to another. But sometimes, schedules don’t align. If public transit isn’t an option and carpool plans fall through, Uber can be a convenient option, especially for single moms or families juggling multiple kids. A friend of mine occasionally lets her 15-year-old son Uber to his 6 a.m. swim practice while she drives his younger sister to school at 7. It works for their family.
2. It teaches independence and responsibility.
Using Uber for Teens can help kids develop real-world skills in a more controlled environment. They learn to budget for transportation costs, plan ahead for rides, and figure out their schedules without relying on a parent for every trip. This can help teens gain confidence while still keeping moms in the loop.
3. It costs less than owning a car.
Adding a teen to your insurance? Sticker shock! Finding an affordable used car for your teen? Well, that sticker shock just upped its voltage. Factor in gas and car maintenance and some moms stop asking, “How does Uber for Teens work?” and start asking, “How do I sign my kid up?!” For many families, Uber easily can be the best choice for their budgets.
The Cons of Uber for Teens
1. But is it really safe?
And we’re back to the heart of the issue: Is Uber safe for teens? While Uber screens drivers, risks remain, such as accidents, misconduct, or a driver not being properly vetted. Even some Uber drivers don’t trust the background checks. Levi Spires, an Uber driver and a dad, puts it this way: “The thing I worry about the most isn’t whether my child is going to be kidnapped or something like that. I think about the Ubers that I’ve seen…There are some drivers that are just not safe. Their cars are not well maintained. The driver doesn’t drive safely.”
Another red flag? Teen account holders can bring along other teens, even if those friends don’t have an account. The guest riders just need to say they have permission. That opens the door for risky teen behavior, such as sneaking out, lying about permission, or heading to unsafe locations without a parent’s knowledge. It also makes it easier for teens to give in to peer pressure, take rides late at night, or end up in situations they’re not prepared to handle.
2. The costs add up quickly.
While Uber can be convenient, the costs can add up quickly. Plus, Uber often temporarily increases its fares in areas with high demand and limited drivers. So, a routine trip your teen takes might unexpectedly cost more. If your teen relies on Uber frequently, the price of rides may be more than what you’d spend on gas or even a carpool arrangement.
3. What if Uber doesn’t show up?
Teens who rely on Uber too much could get stranded if there’s a driver shortage, the app glitches, or surge pricing makes the ride unaffordable. A backup plan is essential.
4. You lose real-time insight.
When you pick up your teen yourself, you can see his mood after an event. Is he happy? Uncomfortable? Did something feel off? With Uber, you only get location updates, but you miss the chance to read your teen’s body language or sense if he needs to talk. Teens often feel more comfortable opening up in the car because of the side-by-side chats instead of direct eye contact.
Final Thoughts: Should Your Teen Use Uber?
So, what do you think? Is Uber safe for teens? Maybe. Maybe not. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Mom, you get to decide what works best for your family. We’d love to know what you decide and why. It will help other moms discern what’s best, too!
Is Uber safe for teens? How did you decide?
