Uber launches teen accounts - but concerned users claim letting children travel alone is a 'horrible idea'

By SHIVALI BEST FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Uber has been slammed across social media over its decision to launch teen accounts. 

'Uber for Teens' is a new tool in the UK that allows children as young as 13 to order rides independently. 

Uber claims that the tool will 'empower teens' while 'providing parents with peace of mind'. 

However, many users have been quick to raise their concerns over the idea of children travelling alone in Ubers. 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) when the tool was launched in the US earlier this year, one user wrote: 'Yeah that’s gonna be a no from me dawg. Teens should not be getting in cars with strangers.'

Another added: 'This is a horrible idea just on paper.'

And one ominously tweeted: 'This will turn out well...' 

Here's how the new Uber for Teens tool works as it rolls out in the UK. 

Uber has been slammed across social media over its decision to launch teen accounts in the UK (stock image)

Uber has been slammed across social media over its decision to launch teen accounts in the UK (stock image)

'Uber for Teens' is a new tool in the UK, which allows children as young as 13 to order rides independently

'Uber for Teens' is a new tool in the UK, which allows children as young as 13 to order rides independently

Many users have been quick to raise their concerns over the idea of children travelling alone in Ubers. One user claimed that the idea of teen accounts on Uber 'just doesn't sit well with me'

Many users have been quick to raise their concerns over the idea of children travelling alone in Ubers. One user claimed that the idea of teen accounts on Uber 'just doesn't sit well with me'

Uber Teens is aimed at 13 to 17-year-olds and was first piloted in Canada back in 2022, before rolling out in several US cities the following year. 

Now, Uber has announced that it is set to the roll the tool out in UK cities 'in the coming months'.

'Uber is thrilled to help busy families across the UK get around safely and easily,' said Andrew Brem, UK General Manager.

'Teen accounts were developed to be incredibly simple to use and provide total peace of mind for parents, teens, and drivers.' 

Parents can activate the tool by adding their teen to their own Uber account and sending them an invite. 

The teen will then be prompted to download the Uber app and set up their teen account. 

Once they're all set up, teens willl be able to order their own Ubers, and ride alone. 

Uber highlights that the tool includes several safety measures to put parents' minds at ease, such as live trip tracking. 

Uber Teens is aimed at 13 to 17-year-olds and was first piloted in Canada back in 2022, before rolling out in several US cities the following year (stock image)

Uber Teens is aimed at 13 to 17-year-olds and was first piloted in Canada back in 2022, before rolling out in several US cities the following year (stock image)

Uber Teen includes mandatory pin verification which ensures your teen is matched with the correct driver
Uber highlights that the tool includes several safety measures to put parents' minds at ease, such as live trip tracking

'Whenever your teen requests a ride, you can follow their location directly in the app and get status updates with live trip tracking,' Uber explained

One concerned user called Uber Teen a 'horrible idea just on paper'

One concerned user called Uber Teen a 'horrible idea just on paper'

Safety features in Uber Teen

  1. Live trip tracking lets parents monitor each ride from start to finish
  2. Pin verification ensures teens are matched with their correect driver
  3. Ride check detects anomalies like unexpected route changes 
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'Whenever your teen requests a ride, you can follow their location directly in the app and get status updates with live trip tracking,' Uber explained. 

'Teen trips are destination-locked, meaning that drivers can’t change the destination of the trip—only your teen can.'

Uber Teen also includes mandatory pin verification which ensures teens are matched with the correct driver. 

'Before a teen gets in the car, they’ll have to give their driver a unique PIN,' Uber explained. 

'Drivers are unable to start a trip until they enter the correct code into the Driver app.'

In addition, if their ride goes unusually off-course, stops unexpectedly, or ends early, Uber will alert the teen and message them to ask if they need help. 

In the US, teens have the option to set up Audio Recording for their trips, although this is not available in the UK. 

Uber also reassures that it only selects highly-rated drivers for teen trips. 

One user claimed that teens 'should not be getting in cars with strangers'

One user claimed that teens 'should not be getting in cars with strangers'

Despite this slew of safety features, several users have raised concerns about Uber Teen

Despite this slew of safety features, several users have raised concerns about Uber Teen

One user dubbed Uber Teen 'weird and creepy'

One user dubbed Uber Teen 'weird and creepy'

'With only experienced, highly-rated drivers assigned to teen riders, and options for parents to contact the driver or Uber’s safety line anytime, Uber for Teens makes it easier for families to manage busy schedules safely,' Uber added. 

Despite this slew of safety features, several users have raised concerns about Uber Teen. 

'Uber is now advertising “teen accounts” and something about that just doesn’t sit well with me,' one user tweeted. 

Another added: 'Uber Teen is weird and creepy.'

And one wrote: 'am i the only one that thinks the whole uber teen thing is extremely scary and dangerous??'

In response to this backlash, an Uber spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Uber for Teens was developed in partnership with Parent Zone to ensure safety is absolutely the top priority. 

'The key safety features built into the experience can't be turned off by the teen, driver or parent. 

'Additionally, only highly rated drivers are eligible to receive trip requests from teens.'

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