Uber for Teens debuts in India: Parents get control, teens get freedom

Uber has begun rolling out its Uber for Teens service in India, allowing parents and guardians to create accounts for teenagers aged 13 to 17 while maintaining oversight of their rides. The feature was initially launched in the U.S. in 2023. However, an official announcement from Uber is yet to be made.

According to government estimates, adolescents aged 10 to 19 account for nearly 30% of India’s total population, presenting a significant market opportunity for businesses. In line with this trend, several companies are targeting this demographic. Last year, UPI introduced its UPI Circle feature, allowing parents to approve payments for minors or individuals without a bank account.

Similarly, Meta launched its Instagram for Teens interface, while YouTube already offers its YouTube Kids platform. These developments highlight how companies are increasingly focused on engaging the digital-first Gen Alpha and Gen Z audience.

With teen accounts, teenagers can now book rides independently from their own devices, while guardians can monitor trips in real time, set ride limits, and access additional safety features. Teens are only matched with highly rated, background-checked drivers, who undergo annual rescreening.

Any Uber call between the driver and the teen can be recorded and accessed by parents. Additionally, drivers cannot modify the drop-off location once a ride is booked. Extra security measures ensure the correct driver picks up the teenager.

To set up a teen account, parents must add their teenager’s contact details via the Uber app. Once accepted, the account is created with built-in safety protocols. A guardian's credit or debit card is required for setup, but teens can select their preferred payment method afterward. Parents can also limit the number of rides a teen books per month.

The service has already begun appearing in the Uber app for Indian users, with Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai being the first cities to gain access. Of the 80 cities where Uber operates in India, the feature has been rolled out in 35, with more cities expected to follow.