Zift Advisory
Lyft is a popular car service and ride sharing app that is free to download but users incur charges for using the service. The Lyft app is rated for users four years and older but users must be 18 years and older to use the service. This app can be safe for older, mature teens with parental supervision and expectations in place.
What is Lyft?
Lyft is a popular ride sharing app that allows users to get a ride to a destination with the touch of a finger.
The software can auto send the closest driver to the user, who in turn, can get picked up and dropped off at any location they choose. Lyft is free to download, but users incur charges for using the service.
The way the Lyft app works is that users allow the app to use their mobile device’s location services, which pinpoints their location on the map, in addition to area Lyft drivers.
Once a user inputs their destination, they are shown area drivers and a driver quickly picks up the “fare”. Lyft users can typically catch a ride, in a metro area, in five minutes (or less) depending upon the hour.
Lyft rates change with demand so busier hours and prime weekend night hours will see rates inflate. During normal, non-peak hours, Lyft users can expect to pay a base rate of $1.00-$1.50, and then $1.50 for each mile after. Lyft Prime Time rates cap out at three times the base rate.
At the completion of a fare, Lyft users are charged via the payment information they have saved in the app and are sent a receipt.
Is Lyft safe for my kids?
Parents should be aware that the Lyft app is rated for users four years and older in the app store, but users must be 18 years and older to use the service. This app is not recommended for kids but can be safe for older, mature teens with parental supervision and expectations in place.
While disregarding the terms of service for a game app may not pose much of an issue, failure to abide by Lyft’s terms of service can have potentially serious consequences, especially in terms of liability. Lyft app user eligibility requirements are as follows, according to the company site:
The Lyft Platform may only be used by individuals who can form legally binding contracts under applicable law. The Lyft Platform is not available to children (persons under the age of 18) or Users who have had their User account temporarily or permanently deactivated. By becoming a User, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and that you have the right, authority and capacity to enter into and abide by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. You may not allow other persons to use your User account, and you agree that you are the sole authorized user of your account.
And, while Lyft vets their drivers, requiring them to pass comprehensive background and DMV checks, parents allowing their children to use this service are essentially putting them in vehicles with completestrangers.
It’s also important to note that the Lyft app is directly linked to a credit/debit card or PayPal account, putting personal financial information on yet another online platform which can potentially be stolen.
On the flip side, Lyft users need only a mobile device with them to catch a ride, no need to have a wallet with them because drivers are paid directly through the app. Another solid point, in favor of parents allowing their children to use the app, despite the terms of service, is that the app can function as a solid backup plan, if a teen needs to get out of a bad situation quickly.
Should a teen find themselves at a party with underage drinking or find that their driver has been drinking at a party, they can quickly and easily hail a Lyft ride.
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