Impacts of (Autonomous) Ride‐Hailing Services for Children's Independent Mobility: A Review

ABSTRACT This paper advances understandings of how (autonomous) ride‐hailing services, widely described as app‐based, prearranged, and on‐demand transportation, affect children's independent mobility (CIM). Examining CIM is crucial, as ride‐hailing services have recently expanded to include unaccompanied minors (aged 13–17) in several countries worldwide, and the first driverless service for children is currently being tested in the United States. While these services offer perceived benefits, such as increased independence for children and reduced parental time and supervision, they also raise practical concerns. These include child safety, potential reductions in active lifestyles, and implications for children's agency. Together, these issues reveal a significant knowledge gap in CIM literature regarding the changing mobility conditions introduced by (autonomous) ride‐hailing. We respond to this gap by conducting a review of scholarly papers published in English between 2017 and 2024. Our analysis of the studies examining the introduction of (autonomous) ride‐hailing services and their impact on children's mobilities highlights the necessity for novel perspectives on CIM in contemporary cities. The review offers insights into societal perceptions of emerging transport technologies and identifies barriers to young people's agency in mobility decision‐making. The findings advance critical understandings of childhood within the context of platform‐enabled, automated, and everyday automobilities.