Should Didi allow minors to ride alone?

An online poll initiated by Chinese car-hailing company Didi Chuxing whether minors can ride Didi alone has generated heated discussion, with over half of participants supporting the move.

Since the launch of the survey on Wednesday on Didi's WeChat account, a total of nearly 55,400 internet users have voted as of Monday morning, with 56 percent of them in favor of teenagers below 18 years taking Didi without a supervising adult.

According to the survey, the main reason that netizens are being supportive is that they believe a safer ride lies more in a tougher management of the drivers rather than imposing restrictions on passengers' age. And there is no reason that under-18 cannot use car-hailing service alone if they can take taxi by themselves.

However, some who hold the opposite view argue that however comprehensive the safety measures are, they cannot completely prevent crimes, especially those on the spur of the moment. And the guardian should be responsible for the children who have a weak sense of security and self-protection.

According to the company, it has already added a reminding function in its app to warn the under-18 against taking Didi alone. But they have been constantly receiving calls asking why the under-18 cannot use the service on their own.