I have a 12 year old son who Ubers. For at least a year, he’s been taking either Uber or Lyft (which I vastly prefer) to summer day camps and soccer practice. He usually only needs a ride one way (I.e. to soccer before my husband or I are off work). He is also a proficient user of public transportation and can get himself around nicely, though he prefers to talk through his route with me ahead of time to make sure he has it right. We’ve also devoted substantial time to discussing safety and going through lots of “what if” scenarios. He’s very proud of his ability to navigate a city on his own, and I feel good knowing that he will always know how to handle himself if he is ever lost, separated from a group, or the plans change.

I should add that he does not order his own rides. I order every one of his rides through my app. I tell him the driver and car to look for, and I watch the ride progress on my app. I text the driver to let him know that he’s driving my son and offer to cancel if it’s an issue. It virtually never is. I frequently get texts from the driver after drop off letting me know that he arrived and assuring me that my son was polite and a good passenger. At this point, we have a few drivers who take the majority of the ride requests, and he has some favorites. We always talk about the rides afterward, and I stay on alert for anything that sounds “off.”

It’ll likely be another 2 years before I let him order his own rides and even then, I’ll require pre and post ride communication. By that time, he will already have a lot of experience as a rider. Giving him this experience not only allows him to make it to soccer on time, but also fulfills one of my primary parental obligations: teaching him independence and to go into and through the world with awareness and confidence.

Anonymous wrote:Uber cars have an Uber Logo sign in the window and you can verify with ID who your driver is.

OP, I have a teen DD too. Please tell you child no.

And please don't tell your child to "look for the Uber logo". I can't believe the PP is blithely saying that a sticker on a car is good enough. And a teen who is inexperienced might end up getting into whatever car happens to have an Uber logo on a window and could easily forget to check the driver's ID or ask the driver to confirm the name of the passenger who called. Is a teen who's been drinking really going to be sure that the car with the Uber sticker is the one he or she called? Will that teen really check ID in that situation, at whatever odd hour it is?

That teen could end up like the woman who was kidnapped and raped by a former Uber driver who happened to still have his Uber logo on his car, and who picked her and her date up in DC. If TWO adults "forgot" that you can't hail an Uber like you hail a cab, then it seems obvious that teens -- especially teens worried about being caught drinking by parents, worried about getting home, etc. -- would forget that too. Please look up that case, which occurred in DC within about the past two months so it's very recent. The driver somehow got the man out of the car and sped off with the woman alone and then raped her. The guy WAS a former Uber driver who had been axed by Uber but he'd kept the sticker on his car, and who knows how many other rides he picked up using it? It doesnt' really comfort me to know that Uber had ditched this driver, either. Go online and search for news stories from reputable papers and TV stations about Uber drivers and crimes. If you added them up across the country you'd see that it's a real problem. It's just not worth the risk.

I think Uber is teaching kids to be way too trusting that a company is looking after their best interests and their safety. It isn't.

Kids have no radar for this kind of risk, so it's your job as the parent to say no to girls taking Uber whenever, wherever. Work with your kid so she knows that if she's somewhere and there's partying or even if she herself gets drunk, you will get her any time of day or night and "I'm scared mom and dad will lecture me" is NOT a reason to put herself into a car with a total stranger.

I also agree with the PP who listed the differences between what Uber requires of drivers and what taxi firms require. Yes, DCUM, there have been taxi drivers who have driven off with women and raped them, but Uber's setup just makes these scenarios more likely. OP, search on DCUM too. Recent thread, from the fall, about a woman whose young adult daughter was treated VERY creepily by an Uber driver.

Uber lovers will come back with plenty of stories about how wonderful it is, but to me, it breaks the most basic rule of "don't get into a car with a stranger." Maybe if you could form a business relationship with ONE driver who would be your sole call, that would be different and I likely would use it then, but calling any random person who hasn't been vetted enough for me--no.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you check with the parents to see who is going, how it is being supervised and if there is alcohol?

I guess my point is, that if I have to ask these questions, I'm going to tell my kid not to go. If a parent is going to be serving alcohol to minors or not supervising the party do you really think that they'll say that? "Oh, Harold and I are putting 3 kegs in the backyard for the kids and then we'll be running out to catch a movie"

You have toddles right?

You need to be 18 to ride in an Uber.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you check with the parents to see who is going, how it is being supervised and if there is alcohol?

I guess my point is, that if I have to ask these questions, I'm going to tell my kid not to go. If a parent is going to be serving alcohol to minors or not supervising the party do you really think that they'll say that? "Oh, Harold and I are putting 3 kegs in the backyard for the kids and then we'll be running out to catch a movie"

Yes, you check with the parents to see who is going, how it is being supervised and if there is alcohol?

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Anonymous wrote:Call me a helicopter, but if my 15 year old is at a drinking party I would want them to call me to come and get them. Not the Uber guy.

+1, I would want them to call even more if they were drinking.

But that's precisely why they wouldn't call you. Most teens feel the choice is uber home or drive with drunk friend. Nobody wants to call their parents when they've been drinking no matter how understanding their parents say they will be.

What do you base this statement on?

Parents who are hands off or know their parents will not come get them.

Our school has a meeting with kids about drinking and drugs and they took a survey that they won't call their parents because their parents will lecture them and freak out. They would rather stay at a drinking party and risk getting caught than call parents.

They also said they would be more likely to call an Uber than call their parents.

That is a parenting issue, not an uber issue. Either way if they Ubered you would see the bill and start to question it? As parents, you know when your child has been drinking and how you deal with it is up to you but they need to know you will come get them and support them.

I agree it is a parenting issue. I trust my children to get out of a bad situation and to use their judgement. When a bad situation arises they knew what to do. They are older now ... if you don't have a HS graduate you are just entering the years of discourse.

Good luck!

I have older and younger ones. They know to call us and we will come. If they used good judgment, they will not get in trouble. I teach them to try not to get in those situations in the first place.

Your older kids have never been to a party and realized their was alcohol?

Nope.

The issue isn't if the alcohol is there, it is if THEY are drinking it, are they driving, who is driving and how it impacts them. Kids can drink at home if it is that big of a deal.

Oh, I'd have an issue if my sober 15 year old kid was at a drinking party.

Ok, then as a parent you need to call the parents before sending them to a random party and ask will it be supervised and will there be alcohol or your sober 15 year old may not be sober. Its basic parenting.

You think I should call random parents and ask if they plan on serving alcohol to minor children at their party? Lol. If this is even a question in my mind my kid won't go.

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Anonymous wrote:Call me a helicopter, but if my 15 year old is at a drinking party I would want them to call me to come and get them. Not the Uber guy.

+1, I would want them to call even more if they were drinking.

But that's precisely why they wouldn't call you. Most teens feel the choice is uber home or drive with drunk friend. Nobody wants to call their parents when they've been drinking no matter how understanding their parents say they will be.

What do you base this statement on?

Parents who are hands off or know their parents will not come get them.

Our school has a meeting with kids about drinking and drugs and they took a survey that they won't call their parents because their parents will lecture them and freak out. They would rather stay at a drinking party and risk getting caught than call parents.

They also said they would be more likely to call an Uber than call their parents.

That is a parenting issue, not an uber issue. Either way if they Ubered you would see the bill and start to question it? As parents, you know when your child has been drinking and how you deal with it is up to you but they need to know you will come get them and support them.

I agree it is a parenting issue. I trust my children to get out of a bad situation and to use their judgement. When a bad situation arises they knew what to do. They are older now ... if you don't have a HS graduate you are just entering the years of discourse.

Good luck!

I have older and younger ones. They know to call us and we will come. If they used good judgment, they will not get in trouble. I teach them to try not to get in those situations in the first place.

Your older kids have never been to a party and realized their was alcohol?

Nope.

The issue isn't if the alcohol is there, it is if THEY are drinking it, are they driving, who is driving and how it impacts them. Kids can drink at home if it is that big of a deal.

Oh, I'd have an issue if my sober 15 year old kid was at a drinking party.

Ok, then as a parent you need to call the parents before sending them to a random party and ask will it be supervised and will there be alcohol or your sober 15 year old may not be sober. Its basic parenting.

It was supervised and parent checked bags at the door and kids snuck alcohol in a week before and put it in the dropped ceiling.

Then the parens weren't supervising it very well. I'd hope if you knew it was supervised and parents didn't want alcohol you called the parents to tell them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I skipped all the pages so forgive me but WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS ? I know it ain't free.

Kids today think they are stars and can live like one. On Mom and Dad's dime.

who is paying for gas?

Credit card.

same for Uber

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Anonymous wrote:Call me a helicopter, but if my 15 year old is at a drinking party I would want them to call me to come and get them. Not the Uber guy.

+1, I would want them to call even more if they were drinking.

But that's precisely why they wouldn't call you. Most teens feel the choice is uber home or drive with drunk friend. Nobody wants to call their parents when they've been drinking no matter how understanding their parents say they will be.

What do you base this statement on?

Parents who are hands off or know their parents will not come get them.

Our school has a meeting with kids about drinking and drugs and they took a survey that they won't call their parents because their parents will lecture them and freak out. They would rather stay at a drinking party and risk getting caught than call parents.

They also said they would be more likely to call an Uber than call their parents.

That is a parenting issue, not an uber issue. Either way if they Ubered you would see the bill and start to question it? As parents, you know when your child has been drinking and how you deal with it is up to you but they need to know you will come get them and support them.

I agree it is a parenting issue. I trust my children to get out of a bad situation and to use their judgement. When a bad situation arises they knew what to do. They are older now ... if you don't have a HS graduate you are just entering the years of discourse.

Good luck!

I have older and younger ones. They know to call us and we will come. If they used good judgment, they will not get in trouble. I teach them to try not to get in those situations in the first place.

Your older kids have never been to a party and realized their was alcohol?

Nope.

The issue isn't if the alcohol is there, it is if THEY are drinking it, are they driving, who is driving and how it impacts them. Kids can drink at home if it is that big of a deal.

Oh, I'd have an issue if my sober 15 year old kid was at a drinking party.

Ok, then as a parent you need to call the parents before sending them to a random party and ask will it be supervised and will there be alcohol or your sober 15 year old may not be sober. Its basic parenting.

It was supervised and parent checked bags at the door and kids snuck alcohol in a week before and put it in the dropped ceiling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I skipped all the pages so forgive me but WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS ? I know it ain't free.

Kids today think they are stars and can live like one. On Mom and Dad's dime.

who is paying for gas?

Credit card.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Call me a helicopter, but if my 15 year old is at a drinking party I would want them to call me to come and get them. Not the Uber guy.

+1, I would want them to call even more if they were drinking.

But that's precisely why they wouldn't call you. Most teens feel the choice is uber home or drive with drunk friend. Nobody wants to call their parents when they've been drinking no matter how understanding their parents say they will be.

What do you base this statement on?

Parents who are hands off or know their parents will not come get them.

Our school has a meeting with kids about drinking and drugs and they took a survey that they won't call their parents because their parents will lecture them and freak out. They would rather stay at a drinking party and risk getting caught than call parents.

They also said they would be more likely to call an Uber than call their parents.

That is a parenting issue, not an uber issue. Either way if they Ubered you would see the bill and start to question it? As parents, you know when your child has been drinking and how you deal with it is up to you but they need to know you will come get them and support them.

I agree it is a parenting issue. I trust my children to get out of a bad situation and to use their judgement. When a bad situation arises they knew what to do. They are older now ... if you don't have a HS graduate you are just entering the years of discourse.

Good luck!

I have older and younger ones. They know to call us and we will come. If they used good judgment, they will not get in trouble. I teach them to try not to get in those situations in the first place.

Your older kids have never been to a party and realized their was alcohol?

Nope.

The issue isn't if the alcohol is there, it is if THEY are drinking it, are they driving, who is driving and how it impacts them. Kids can drink at home if it is that big of a deal.

Oh, I'd have an issue if my sober 15 year old kid was at a drinking party.

Ok, then as a parent you need to call the parents before sending them to a random party and ask will it be supervised and will there be alcohol or your sober 15 year old may not be sober. Its basic parenting.

Anonymous wrote:I skipped all the pages so forgive me but WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS ? I know it ain't free.

Kids today think they are stars and can live like one. On Mom and Dad's dime.

who is paying for gas?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call me a helicopter, but if my 15 year old is at a drinking party I would want them to call me to come and get them. Not the Uber guy.

+1, I would want them to call even more if they were drinking.

But that's precisely why they wouldn't call you. Most teens feel the choice is uber home or drive with drunk friend. Nobody wants to call their parents when they've been drinking no matter how understanding their parents say they will be.

What do you base this statement on?

Parents who are hands off or know their parents will not come get them.

Our school has a meeting with kids about drinking and drugs and they took a survey that they won't call their parents because their parents will lecture them and freak out. They would rather stay at a drinking party and risk getting caught than call parents.

They also said they would be more likely to call an Uber than call their parents.

That is a parenting issue, not an uber issue. Either way if they Ubered you would see the bill and start to question it? As parents, you know when your child has been drinking and how you deal with it is up to you but they need to know you will come get them and support them.

I agree it is a parenting issue. I trust my children to get out of a bad situation and to use their judgement. When a bad situation arises they knew what to do. They are older now ... if you don't have a HS graduate you are just entering the years of discourse.

Good luck!

I have older and younger ones. They know to call us and we will come. If they used good judgment, they will not get in trouble. I teach them to try not to get in those situations in the first place.

Your older kids have never been to a party and realized their was alcohol?

Nope.

The issue isn't if the alcohol is there, it is if THEY are drinking it, are they driving, who is driving and how it impacts them. Kids can drink at home if it is that big of a deal.

Oh, I'd have an issue if my sober 15 year old kid was at a drinking party.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call me a helicopter, but if my 15 year old is at a drinking party I would want them to call me to come and get them. Not the Uber guy.

+1, I would want them to call even more if they were drinking.

But that's precisely why they wouldn't call you. Most teens feel the choice is uber home or drive with drunk friend. Nobody wants to call their parents when they've been drinking no matter how understanding their parents say they will be.

What do you base this statement on?

Parents who are hands off or know their parents will not come get them.

Our school has a meeting with kids about drinking and drugs and they took a survey that they won't call their parents because their parents will lecture them and freak out. They would rather stay at a drinking party and risk getting caught than call parents.

They also said they would be more likely to call an Uber than call their parents.

That is a parenting issue, not an uber issue. Either way if they Ubered you would see the bill and start to question it? As parents, you know when your child has been drinking and how you deal with it is up to you but they need to know you will come get them and support them.

I agree it is a parenting issue. I trust my children to get out of a bad situation and to use their judgement. When a bad situation arises they knew what to do. They are older now ... if you don't have a HS graduate you are just entering the years of discourse.

Good luck!

I have older and younger ones. They know to call us and we will come. If they used good judgment, they will not get in trouble. I teach them to try not to get in those situations in the first place.

Your older kids have never been to a party and realized their was alcohol?

Nope.

The issue isn't if the alcohol is there, it is if THEY are drinking it, are they driving, who is driving and how it impacts them. Kids can drink at home if it is that big of a deal.