Boy Books Rapido in the Dead of Night
In a bizarre incident that has gone viral on social media, a seven-year-old boy in India secretly booked a Rapido bike taxi at night to travel to his grandmother's house. The ride was cancelled by the rider after he realised the passenger was a young child.
The incident occurred late at night when the boy’s parents were asleep. The child, who had access to a smartphone, managed to open the Rapido app and book a ride to his grandmother's residence, which was located a few kilometres away.
Rider Cancels Ride After Seeing Child
When the Rapido rider arrived at the pickup location, he was shocked to see a seven-year-old boy waiting alone. The rider immediately cancelled the ride and refused to take the child. The entire interaction was captured on a security camera installed near the location.
The video shows the rider speaking to the boy and then cancelling the ride on his phone before leaving. The boy, who appeared disappointed, was later taken back home by a neighbour who spotted him.
Parents Unaware of Son’s Midnight Adventure
The boy’s parents were completely unaware of his midnight adventure. They woke up the next morning to find their son sleeping in his bed, with no knowledge of the event. The incident came to light when the neighbour informed them about the boy’s attempt.
According to a family member, the child had been insisting on visiting his grandmother for several days but was told it was too late. He decided to take matters into his own hands.
Viral Video Sparks Debate on Child Safety
The video of the incident has been widely shared on social media platforms, sparking a debate on child safety and the ease with which children can access ride-hailing apps. Many users have criticised the parents for not securing their phones, while others have praised the rider for his responsible behaviour.
One social media user commented, "The rider did the right thing by cancelling the ride. He could have taken advantage of the situation, but he chose to protect the child." Another user said, "Parents need to be more careful with their phones and educate their children about the dangers of talking to strangers."
Company Responds to Incident
Rapido, the bike taxi aggregator, issued a statement regarding the incident. A company spokesperson said, "We are aware of the video circulating on social media. The safety of our riders and passengers is our top priority. We have strict protocols in place to ensure that minors are not allowed to book rides. We are investigating the matter and will take appropriate action."
The company also reminded users to keep their app passwords secure and not share them with children.
Child Safety Experts Weigh In
Child safety experts have weighed in on the incident, emphasising the need for parents to monitor their children’s online activities. Dr. Anjali Sharma, a child psychologist, said, "Children at this age are curious and may not understand the risks involved in such actions. Parents should have open conversations with their children about safety and set clear boundaries."
She also recommended using parental control features on smartphones to restrict access to certain apps.
Similar Incidents in the Past
This is not the first time a child has attempted to book a ride using a ride-hailing app. Last year, a six-year-old in Mumbai booked an Uber to go to a friend’s house. The driver cancelled the ride after realising the passenger was a child.
In another incident, a ten-year-old in Delhi used his mother’s phone to book an Ola cab to go to a nearby mall. The driver took the child to the mall but later alerted the police after finding the child alone.
