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Teen taking an Uber? Parents in Orlando can now tune in live

Uber adds live video safety feature for teen riders in Orlando.

ORLANDO, Fla. — For parents juggling school, sports, band practice and social activities, getting teens where they need to go can be a daily challenge.

Now, families in Central Florida have another option, and a new layer of visibility when their teens ride with Uber.

Orlando is among nine cities nationwide where Uber is introducing a new live video feature for teen trips. The service is designed for riders ages 13 to 17 and builds on Uber’s teen ride program, which launched in 2023.

Under the new system, parents or guardians can book rides for their teens through a special version of the Uber app. Once a teen’s trip begins, the parent receives a notification that live video is available.

The teen and driver are also notified that the parent is tuning in. The live video stream comes from the driver’s phone, giving parents the opportunity to check in on the trip while their child is on the road.

Uber says the feature is not intended for parents to watch their teens’ entire trips from start to finish. Instead, the company sees it as a way for parents to make a quick check and have added peace of mind while their teens are traveling.

The added security comes as rideshare companies continue to face questions from parents about the safety of allowing teenagers to travel without an adult.

Uber’s teen service already gives parents additional oversight of their children’s rides. The new live video capability is designed to provide another layer of that visibility.

The feature is currently available in nine markets, including Orlando. Uber says it plans to expand the service nationwide over the next few weeks.

For Central Florida families, that could mean one more way to stay connected while teens are getting to school, activities and other destinations on their own.

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