Uber Adds Live Video Streaming Feature to Help Parents Monitor Teen Rides

Uber is introducing a live video streaming feature that enables parents to track their teen’s safety during rides in real time. The new feature is designed to give parents peace of mind when their teen is traveling. Uber’s teen live video stream will roll out across the U.S. in the coming weeks. “The feature is designed for quick check-ins, giving parents another way to feel confident everything on their teen’s trip is going smoothly,” Uber said as cited by CNET.

How Uber’s Live Streaming Feature Works

Uber’s teen safety feature uses the selfie camera on the driver’s phone to stream live videos, allowing families to monitor rides. The system sends a notification on the parents’ or guardians’ account once the ride starts. If they decide to watch the video stream, both the driver and the teen are notified. Last year, Uber piloted in-app video recording in India. The company does not provide a way for other riders who might be traveling with the teen to opt out of the live feed. Once the trip ends, the video becomes inaccessible to the teen, the driver, or the guardian/parent. Uber, which set up AV labs to support robotaxi development early this year, said live-streamed videos are encrypted. However, it's still unclear whether the company is able to access the recording. The company first introduced teen accounts in the U.S. in 2023 to enable Uber parents to monitor rides. Since the U.S. debut, Uber has made the accounts available in over 50 countries.

How to Add an Uber Teen Account

According to Uber, only parents or guardians whose accounts are connected to their teen’s account can view the live streams. Uber parents can add a teen account by following simple steps:

• Open the Uber App

• Tap Account

• Click “Family” to create a family profile

• Click “Invite Family”

• Select “Teen”

• Tap “Contact” and select teen’s name from your contacts

A parent’s payment information must be updated for teens to request Uber rides. Increasingly, ridesharing platforms are adapting their services for older riders. Last year, Uber and Lyft introduced app experiences with larger text and live phone support to enable adults over 65 to book rides and navigate the services with ease.

Where is Uber Piloting the Teens Safety Feature?

The new Uber for teens feature is already being piloted in nine markets across the U.S. These are Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Raleigh, Durham, Portland, Rhode Island, El Paso, and Cleveland. With the new feature, Uber could set a higher safety standard for the ride-hailing industry. The company is already preparing for a nationwide rollout, and strong adoption in the U.S. could pave the way for similar tools aimed at other vulnerable riders. The move might also strengthen Uber’s appeal to families who prioritize safety when choosing a ride-hailing service. However, the company must address privacy and data-access concerns to maintain user trust.