Uber is preparing a new safety feature that will allow parents and guardians to watch their teenage children’s trips in real-time through the app. The tool utilizes the driver’s phone camera and restricts access solely to adults linked to the minor’s account.
The company announced this new feature during the back-to-school season, a time when the need for transportation increases for students traveling to school and after-school activities. The feature will roll out across the United States over the coming weeks, following a testing phase in nine states.
How Uber’s live feed will work
The live feed will depend on the driver choosing to activate it for the trip. When an authorized adult accesses the feed, both the teenager and the driver will receive an in-app notification.
Uber designed the tool to operate without significantly impacting phone performance; the system monitors factors such as battery life, temperature, and device performance. If conditions arise that could affect functionality, the feed will automatically stop.
The company also recommends that drivers position their phones so the camera has a clear view of the back seat. Footage can only be viewed while the trip is active, as no participant will have access to the feed once the journey ends.
This new tool is part of Uber’s service for teens aged 13 to 17, which launched in 2023 and has already facilitated tens of millions of trips. The service pairs minors with experienced, highly-rated drivers, while linked adults can track the route via a real-time map.
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Additional safety measures for teens on Uber
In addition to trip tracking, every ride requires a verification PIN. Teens and drivers can also use an audio recording feature, which captures the journey whenever either party chooses to activate it.
Uber is currently testing the live feed feature in cities such as Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, San Antonio, and Cleveland, as well as El Paso, Raleigh-Durham, Portland, and Rhode Island. Following this phase, the company plans to roll out the tool to the rest of the United States.
