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Lyft’s Women+ Connect feature enhances safety for our teenagers. Learn how this innovative option provides peace of mind to parents in this guide!
by Atomic Mommy Editors
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As parents, our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our teenagers, especially when they are venturing out on their own. Ride-sharing apps like Lyft have become a popular means of transportation, but they come with risks.
Recognizing these concerns, on September 12, 2023, Lyft announced they’re rolling out a new feature called Women+ Connect, designed to provide more control and peace of mind to both women and nonbinary riders and drivers. In this article, we will explore how Women+ Connect works and what it means for the safety of our teenagers.
How Does Women+ Connect Work?
Women+ Connect is Lyft’s innovative feature that aims to connect women and nonbinary riders with drivers who share their identity. While the feature is in its early access phase, it is currently available in select cities, including Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose, with plans for expansion to more cities in the future.
For our teenagers, this feature allows them to edit their preferences in the Lyft app to prioritize matching with other genders they match with. It’s important to note that this feature is an option and not a guarantee. For example, if no women or nonbinary riders are requesting rides at a given time, the driver may still be matched with male riders.
Can Riders Request Female Drivers on Lyft?
While riders cannot exclusively request female drivers on Lyft, the Women+ Connect feature empowers them to select a preference within the app. When the feature rolls out in a new city, women and nonbinary riders will receive a prompt in the app to select “Count me in.” This preference setting increases their chances of being connected with a female or nonbinary driver.
Furthermore, all Lyft users, have the flexibility to update their preferences at any time. Additionally, they can opt out of the Women+ Connect feature in their settings if they choose to do so.
Safety Considerations for Our Teenagers
Ensuring the safety of passengers and drivers is paramount for Lyft, and it is essential for parents to understand the company’s commitment to this goal.
It’s worth noting that ride-sharing apps, including Lyft and Uber, have faced safety challenges in the past. Lyft’s 2021 community safety report revealed over 4,000 reports of sexual assaults during trips from 2017 to 2019. However, it’s important to highlight that this data did not statistically specify whether these incidents occurred to riders or drivers.
The Importance of Women+ Connect for Teenage Girls and Non-Binary Children
The introduction of the Women+ Connect feature by Lyft aligns with the company’s dedication to creating a safer environment for all passengers, including teenage girls and non-binary children. While it does not guarantee female or non-binary drivers exclusively, it empowers riders to exercise their preference and increases their chances of being matched with female or non-binary drivers.
For parents of teenage girls, this feature can offer a sense of reassurance. Knowing that their daughters have the option to select a preference for female or nonbinary drivers can provide peace of mind when they’re using ride-sharing services.
In Conclusion
Safety is a paramount concern when it comes to our teenage daughters, and Lyft’s Women+ Connect feature represents a step in the right direction. While it may not eliminate all safety concerns, it provides an added layer of control and peace of mind for riders, especially our teenage children. As parents, we can take advantage of this feature and educate our teenagers on how to use it to enhance their safety when using ride-sharing services. By staying informed and taking proactive steps, we can ensure that our young ones have safer and more secure transportation experiences.
