Navigating Gig Work for Minors (Under 18)

Myriad is built to connect communities through simple tasks like yard cleanup, moving help, and local errands. We frequently get asked if younger kids or teenagers can use the platform to earn extra money in their neighborhood.

The youngest age a person can legally take general, self-elected independent gigs on Myriad is 18 years old.

While state labor laws technically allow minors to work at younger ages, the legal reality of gig platforms revolves around contract law rather than employment law.

Why the Minimum Age is 18

Contract Enforceability

Independent gig workers are not employees; they are independent contractors. Minors (those under 18) lack the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts. A contract signed by a minor is "voidable," meaning they can legally back out of the agreement at any time without penalty. As a platform, we cannot legally enforce terms of service, liability waivers, or payment terms against a minor.

Payment Processor Restrictions

To pay our gig workers, we use secure payment gateways (like Stripe). These financial institutions must comply with federal Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering laws. They strictly prohibit anyone under 18 from opening a primary account or signing financial contracts.

How Can Teens Use Myriad? (The Parent-Agent Model)

If you are a parent who wants to help your teenager find safe neighborhood tasks, you can utilize the Parent-Agent Model.

In this model, you contract directly with Myriad. The parent is legally the "Independent Contractor" on our platform.

The Workflow:

1. The parent creates the account, completes identity verification, and links their bank account.
2. The child browses tasks under the parent’s strict supervision.
3. The parent legally accepts the job and receives the funds, then distributes the earnings to their child.

Our Terms of Service state that the parent is the primary contractor and is legally responsible for overseeing the work, ensuring safety, and ensuring the child is physically capable of the task.

Crucial Liability & Tax Information for Parents

By delegating tasks to your child, you are legally acting as a general contractor managing a subcontractor. Please be aware of the following:

1. The 1099 Tax Trap

Because Myriad issues a Form 1099 to you (the parent), the IRS considers 100% of those earnings to be your self-employment income. You are legally responsible for paying ordinary income tax and self-employment tax on every dollar the platform pays you. To deduct what you paid your child from your own taxes, you must legally treat them as an employee of your own small business, which requires tracking hours and keeping job logs.

2. Child Labor Laws & Hazardous Work

Parents have broad authority to employ their own children, but this exemption does not apply to hazardous activities. If a parent allows their minor to clear a yard using heavy machinery or work on high ladders, the parent may be committing a child labor violation. You must strictly curate tasks to ensure you are not approving hazardous work.

3. Ultimate Liability

In this framework, the parent accepts all legal liability for anything that goes wrong while executing a task:

• Property Damage: If your child accidentally damages a neighbor's property while executing a task, you are personally liable for the financial damages.
• Injury: Because the child is working under the parent's contract, they are not covered by worker's compensation. If they are hurt on a neighbor's property, the homeowner's insurance may refuse to pay, leaving you responsible.

Interested in setting up a Parent-Agent account? Please contact us directly at support@myriad.com for additional safety guidelines and to get your account verified.