Note: This article contains affiliate links (hyperlinks, widgets, or through images), which means I receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers. Visit my disclosure page for more information.
Imagine a scenario where you need to get your child somewhere, but are physically incapable of driving them yourself. You’re probably running a million different alternatives through your mind. Do you call your parents, reach out to friends, or tell your child they can’t go? If all else fails, you can call an Uber.
Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life
Michael Palin
Calling Uber for Teens
For a long time, parents believed that Uber was unsafe. This is because their drivers didn’t have to go through the rigorous fingerprinting and background checks that taxi drivers did. Since then, Uber has changed its requirements for drivers and have ensured client safety by forcing drivers to go through more checks.
Because of this, believe it or not, parents are starting to embrace using Uber for their teenaged children. Many parents claim that it is up to the discretion of the parent. But using Uber is extremely convenient for parents who have a few too many responsibilities. By cutting out just a few “chauffeur” trips, like perhaps having Uber drive your son to sports practice every Monday and Wednesday, parents can significantly cut down on their stress, too.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
– Mark Twain
It is worth noting that Uber does not allow children under the age of 18 to ride alone, though many Uber drivers waive this rule for a short trip. Many parents are also embracing the app, as they feel a sense of security in being able to see the GPS of the trip and know where their child is at all times.
Using The Uber App
If you are going to use the Uber app for your child, there are a few tips that you should always keep in mind:
- UberFamily is a new service that allows parents to ride with their young children. This ride will include car seats for the youngest and tablets to keep them safe and occupied throughout the trip.
- Anyone can sign up to be an Uber driver. There is a background check, but there is no regulatory agency looking into these new drivers
- Many parents who use Uber to shuttle their children from place to place recommend that children send the license plate information of the car that picked them up to their parents upon entering the vehicle. This way, should something happen, the car plates are known and documented beforehand.
- Children are best suited to go in groups. No one under the age of 13 should ever ride in an Uber alone. Teenagers should go in groups of 3 or more for safety purposes.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you want to know specifics, it’s perfectly okay to grill your Uber driver. They’d rather you feel safe than unsafe.
Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.
Andre Gide
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
7 Ways Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Stress
You have certainly raised a lot of food for thought about using Uber for kids in this post. When it comes to our kids, it is obviously better to be safe rather than sorry so any precautions that can be taken would always be good. Great tips.
I definitely agree! I would rather be safe than never see my kid again. So glad Uber decided to step up their game!
Sure – obviously it’s a matter of knowing your child and their level of maturity, but I see no more harm in letting them Uber by themselves than in letting them walk somewhere by themselves.
Oh yes, the level of maturity for your child is a huge factor. You’re right, it’s no different than letting them walk alone except they will get to their destination quicker.
Wow, my family is big and now that my sister has a son, uberfamily will be essential.
It sure sounds like it will be essential! I know we find it handy!
Such great food for thought when it comes not just to child safety, but adults as well. I’ve always wondered about the requirements for drivers, and how their hiring practices differ from more traditional taxi companies. It also sounds like Uber is thinking about the topic from their end as well. Especially if they have a policy that they won’t take people under the age of 18. x
Yes, this safety check they put in place is also good for them on so many levels. I know I feel better about using them now!
such a good post. this is a big debate and it’s nice that you have taken the time to address this
Yes! I believe it’s less controversial now that Uber has stepped up the safety checks!
It’s funny how people from different countries worry about different things. Where I live, it’s normal for children to take taxis (the Uber equivalent except much more… unsafe if we can say that).
Yes, each country is definitely different. It’s pretty common here (the big cities at least) for children to take taxis, city buses, etc. However, many parents these days in the US, are cracking down due to all the horrible things that have been popping up in the news lately. So glad Uber added this safety check. Makes me love them even more.
For me, Uber is safe. Through it we can ask question and get infos about the driver. So I think it’s ok.
As long as the child sends the driver and license plate info and has a mobile phone readily available I think it’s a great option for busy parents…and more affordable than a traditional taxi.
That’s actually a perfect tip! Brilliant thinking and I couldn’t agree more!
I don’t know how I would feel to allow my child to go with an Uber Driver. I know her mother would kill me if I sent our daughter in one. I suppose if she were in a group it wouldn’t be as bad.
As parents, we always have to follow our gut. If they’re young, I don’t know if I would let them go anywhere alone. However, as a teen, I think I would be much more comfortable with it.
Honestly, I watch too many horror and thriller movies and watch too many seriel killer documentaries that I just could not use one myself let my children if I had any! I would take them anywhere they needed to go!
http://www.nmdiaries.com
hahaha! I used to be the same way. I have a friend who won’t even travel alone to the bigger city near her. Hey, everyone needs to follow their gut!
with all the safety check in place then definitely i would recommend it too
Yeah, the safety checks make it just as safe as any other transportation or even walking, these days.
I don’t drive, so I’d definitely be tempted to let my teenage daughter use an Uber if she was with friends. I don’t think we have them in our area yet though. We still live in the dark ages 😉
Louise x
Oh no!! Well, I’m sure it won’t be long before they make it to you!
I think Uber is convenient and efficient. It’s a great way to get to places when you don’t have a car. I’m glad that they’re doing everything to ensure that the passengers, no matter how old will be safe!
I agree with you, Carol! I think they only helped themselves even further when they began providing more safety measures.
My daughter uses it all the time for her step children Bcz they don’t live on the bus line. They’ve never had any issues and it saves them a lot of running around.
I’m so happy Uber can help your daughter out
Absolutely not! I’d only even think about using Uber for my 13 yr old daughter IF she were with a friend AND IF it were an emergency! I used uber as an adult many times I was wierded out many times by different drivers. Day light hours, night hours, didn’t matter. NOPE!
Personally, I would not use the service for my children either. I just worry too much and watch too many crime shows.
As a part-time Lyft and Uber driver, I will state unequivocally that I will not accept unaccompanied children into my vehicle. I will sometimes do so for a teenager going for a short hop to school, but small children … no way. I had someone once put two small children (8 and 2 or 3 years old) in my vehicle and expect me to take them an hour away. I told her that she could ride with them, but otherwise she was out of luck. Our insurance doesn’t cover unaccompanied children; I don’t know how well these children are going to behave in the car … and … WHO lets their small children get into the car with a stranger anyway? It’s the height of parental irresponsibility in my mind. It’s just a dumb idea. If you can’t ride with them yourself, why would you send them anywhere? Be responsible enough to ride there with the kids and have the driver take you back. Period.
Totally agree! I’m not trusting enough. I barely would want to get in the car myself let alone send my children alone.
My daughters are only 4 and 6 years old, so they are too young for this. However, I wouldn’t take an Uber myself unless I had to. I’ve had too many weird experiences with taking cabs in New York and Chicago.
You sound like me. I don’t even want to take these Services myself unless I was desperate.
You definitely have taken time to explore the potential ramifications of allowing a teen to Uber. All children are precious cargo and should be handled as such. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, we can’t just trust anyone with our kids