Lyft opens its ride-hailing app to teens

Core Insights - Lyft has launched teen accounts allowing minors as young as 13 to use the ride-hailing service in 200 U.S. cities, including major urban areas like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and New York [1] Group 1: Product Features and Safety Measures - The teen accounts can only be created by a parent or guardian, ensuring parental control over the account [2] - Drivers matched with underage passengers must meet additional criteria and pass yearly background checks, enhancing safety [2] - Features such as PIN verification, audio recording, and real-time tracking are included to allow parents to monitor their teen's rides [3] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Lyft's introduction of teen accounts is seen as a move to catch up with competitors like Uber, which has offered similar accounts since 2017, and Waymo, which provides teen accounts in its robotaxi service in Phoenix [4] - Uber has expanded its teen account service to numerous U.S. markets and countries, indicating a competitive edge in this segment [4] Group 3: Strategic Developments - The launch of teen accounts is part of a broader strategy under CEO David Risher, who has introduced various new products and partnerships since taking the role [5] - Lyft has made significant moves in the autonomous vehicle space through partnerships with companies like May Mobility and Mobileye [5] - The company has also expanded into Europe with a $197 million acquisition of the German multi-mobility app Freenow, marking its entry into the European market [6]