Parenting teens in the modern age comes with a unique set of challenges. While earlier parents used to drop you off everywhere or let you walk to places, today’s families have different options.
Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft help busy parents manage their schedules effectively. These services safely transport teens to school events, part-time jobs, and social gatherings.
In fact, Uber’s user base in the U.S. has grown significantly in recent years. The platform expanded from 54.4 million users in 2023 to 58.6 million in 2024.
But as convenient as ride-sharing sounds, it raises a critical question: is it safe for teenagers?
Understanding the risks, available safeguards, and what the law says can help you make an informed decision.
Why Teens and Ride-sharing Have Become So Interconnected
Ride-sharing is more than just a transportation solution; it’s part of a broader shift in how families manage logistics.
Young people increasingly rely on ride-sharing services. According to surveys highlighted by Buildfire, Uber’s largest user group in the US is young people.
This age bracket, spanning 16-24 years, makes up 37% of all Uber users. The trend is partly fueled by younger people not having their driving licenses yet.
Additionally, for families with limited car access or struggling with unreliable public transit, ride-sharing services provide essential transportation solutions.
Services like Uber and Lyft promote themselves as convenient, tech-forward options that simplify family logistics.
However, despite their benefits, parents must understand the potential risks and how to mitigate them.
What Parents Need to Know About the Risks
While ride-sharing apps can feel like a lifeline, they come with certain risks, particularly when it comes to teenagers.
Uber and Lyft policies generally prohibit minors under 18 from riding alone.
However, according to various past investigations, many drivers unintentionally or knowingly provide rides to underage passengers. It puts them in a legally gray and potentially unsafe situation.
In 2023, Uber introduced its Teen Accounts feature, allowing parents to create supervised profiles for riders aged 13–17.
These accounts include features like real-time ride tracking and alerts sent directly to the parent’s app. Parents can also approve or block specific drivers for their teens.
Lyft, on the other hand, continues to prohibit minors from riding alone. Additionally, it has started pilot programs to explore safer family-focused options.
The primary risks include:
- Driver verification issues: Although these apps perform background checks, they’re not foolproof. A recent Florida lawsuit exposed drivers with disqualifying criminal records who had bypassed background screening procedures.
- Accidents and liability: Even if a ride goes smoothly, liability issues arise if an accident occurs. Many parents are unaware that ride-sharing insurance policies may not cover minors if they’re riding alone.
- Misconduct reports: CNN reports that Uber received over 3,800 sexual assault complaints in the U.S. during 2022. A significant number of these incidents involved minors, according to Uber’s safety report.
In the subsequent lawsuits, victims have taken legal action against Uber. According to TorHoerman Law, these cases primarily allege negligent driver background checks.
In 2023, these cases were centralized in California federal court as Uber Technologies, Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation MDL No. 3084.
What Ride-Sharing Companies Are Doing to Improve Teen Safety
The rise of teen riders hasn’t gone unnoticed. Companies like Uber and Lyft have taken steps to address safety concerns. However these solutions require active participation from both teens and parents.
The new Uber’s Teen Accounts feature is promising. The initiative includes features developed in consultation with Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit focused on child safety, reports Fox Business.
According to Uber’s vice president of product development, Sachin Kansal, the feature is designed with a strong foundation of safety.
Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide, emphasized the opportunity for increased access to transportation. However, these features are only effective if parents take advantage of them.
Why the Legal Landscape Matters
For families in the US, it’s critical to understand the laws surrounding minors and ride-sharing.
Ride-sharing companies like Lyft explicitly state that riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
If an incident happens during an unauthorized ride, both the driver and the parent arranging it may share liability.
The legal stakes for ride-sharing companies extend beyond minor-specific issues. Uber, for instance, has faced serious allegations of neglecting rider safety.
This occurrence is evidenced by the Uber sexual assault lawsuit filed by more than 10,000 women.
The lawsuit accused the company of failing to protect riders from harassment and assault by drivers. It highlighted lapses in screening and safety protocols as key contributing factors.
While these incidents predominantly involved adults, they underscore the broader safety risks associated with ride-sharing services.
Ride-sharing companies have faced broader scrutiny for their handling of safety concerns. A notable example is a 2023 case involving Uber’s premium service, Uber Black, in California.
Safety officials found Uber allowed limousine firms to provide rides without proper insurance, licensing, or driver monitoring.
This negligence reportedly led to multiple alleged passenger assaults, according to the San Francisco Public Press.
Uber was ultimately fined a minimal $50,000 for submitting false records. Critics also argued the penalty did little to address public safety risks or hold the company accountable.
Practical Safety Tips
As a parent, you play a crucial role in ensuring your teen’s safety when using ride-sharing apps. Start by having an open conversation about safe practices.
Teach them to verify driver details by checking the car’s license plate and the driver’s photo before getting in.
Encourage them to sit in the back seat and to share their ride status with you or a trusted adult. This simple step can be a lifesaver.
The majority of resolved disputes are facilitated because the ride is being actively tracked.
Cashless payments, already standard on these apps, also reduce risks associated with theft or financial exploitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Uber’s Teen accounts enable adolescents aged 13 to 17 to independently request rides and order meals, all under parental supervision. Parents initiate the setup by creating a Family Profile in their Uber app and inviting their teen to join. Once the teen completes a mandatory safety onboarding, they can start using the service. Only highly-rated, experienced drivers are eligible for teen trips, and parents receive notifications at key trip stages.
To monitor your teen’s ride-sharing activities, leverage app-specific features (real-time trip tracking and parental notifications) provided by services like Uber Teen. You can access their ride details, including pickup and drop-off locations, and estimated arrival times through the app. The driver’s profile is also available directly in your Family Profile for better transparency and oversight.
Look for services with GPS-enabled real-time tracking, allowing parents to monitor the exact route and trip progress. Select platforms that support two-factor authentication and PIN verification to ensure the correct driver and vehicle are matched to the trip. Parental control features (ride approval options, spending limits, and the ability to restrict ride locations or times) provide added security.
Ride-sharing apps offer families a level of convenience that feels indispensable in today’s busy world. However, as a parent, it’s essential to approach them with caution. By understanding the risks and using app safety features, you can help ensure your teen’s safety. Open communication further ensures this modern convenience remains both safe and effective.