Uber tweaks its teen accounts to allow parents to book rides

Uber to rolling out a few new features for its teenage customers in the first major update since first opening up its platform to teen riders over a year ago.

Last year, Uber launched teen accounts in two dozen cities, in which parents and guardians can create accounts for minors aged 13–17. Since then, the list has grown to over 250 cities in all 50 states. Uber says the latest update is in response to feedback from teen users and their families.

Parents and guardians can now hail a ride for their teenager from their own accounts. Previously, rides could only be hailed from the teen customers’ accounts. The ride will feature all the same safety features that are available to teens who book their own trips, including notifications when the teenager has started the ride and real-time tracking of the vehicle.

Teen customers can also schedule trips as little as 30 minutes before and as much as 90 days in advance, a feature that is already available to adult riders. And adults who are Uber One subscribers can now share their benefits with their teenagers, including $0 delivery fees on Uber Eats orders and cash back on certain trips.

To date, Uber is the only ridehail app offering service to teen customers. Lyft still requires its account holders to be at least 18 years old. Of course, teens have been ignoring these rules for years, using either their parents’ accounts or those of friends. Uber has said it wants to create clear guardrails for its service in creating teen accounts, as well as provide more clarity for drivers.