While Uber technically has not allowed anyone under 18 to ride alone, it’s no secret that it has become an increasingly popular option for teens. Whether teens are coming home from a party or your parents are unable to give you a ride, Uber is an efficient way to get to your destination. Within the first decade of its existence, Uber became an outstanding service provider, gaining 110 million users monthly in the United States by 2019.

I asked multiple Sandy Spring Friends School students about their personal experience with Uber. Multiple students stated that they were too afraid to take an Uber alone while others said they go solo frequently because they have no other options. Many students mentioned that they have been in uncomfortable situations in an Uber and/or their driver did something to make them feel unsafe. Many students take precautions before getting in an Uber, such as reviewing their driver’s profile picture, checking the license plate number, and waiting to get into the car until after the driver says their name. However, many students admitted that while they knew they should be taking precautions, most of the time they just entered the car. So, with such varied answers, how can we determine if Uber is safe?

According to NPR, in October 2023, hundreds of women sued Uber, claiming that the company hadn’t done enough to protect it’s passengers from sexual assault. In May 2023, Uber announced that teens are now able to ride in Ubers alone with parental tracking. These two different situations likely impact one’s decision to take an Uber in different ways. On one hand, the public is now aware of the hundreds of filed cases for sexual assault in Ubers. One uber-using student stated that they are going to “take more precautions and try to be more aware of their surroundings” after hearing about this. On the other hand, society now has access to the steps and procedures Uber is taking to ensure that teens can safely use the app. For example, the teen’s phone will automatically begin audio recording the ride and they will have access to their driver’s pin number beforehand. The app will show emergency options if it detects that something is wrong and parents will be able to track the drive live. Parents are also able to call the driver during the ride. These new features will likely make concerned parents feel more at ease.

It’s difficult to determine whether Uber is safe. The truth is that it’s not black and white. For some people, Uber is a good, reliable option. Others may feel too anxious about being driven by a stranger. Uber has improved its safety features and is now allowing teens to ride in Ubers alone. This does not mean that your safety is guaranteed, it just means that you have more safety nets. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision, but for teens riding in Ubers alone, it is likely in their best interest to take advantage of these new safety features. According to Life360, “The safety when it comes to female passengers in ride sharing services has become an increasingly significant concern. While Uber has taken steps towards improving safety measures, it is still very crucial for women to remain vigilant and continue to take their own precautions.”