Tracking Your Teens Through GPS
It's a common complaint for parents - they hand over the keys - but don't know how or where their teens are driving. But it doesn't have to be that way - there are now ways for parents to know exactly where their sons and daughters are - and how fast they're going.
Donna Stewart is keeping close tabs on her daughter. 18-year-old Samantha has about a 20 minute drive home from school, and thanks to a GPS tracking device in her car, her mother knows every turn she's taking- even her speed limit.
"If she hits 71 I get a text message," says Stewart.
"It's not a snooping issue with me, it's a safety issue. I don't want to see her as one of the statistics, I want her to be safe."
Not aware the device was in her car, Samantha told her mom one day that she was going to Pizza Hut with some friends.
"Well, I hung up the phone and within 30 seconds I got a text message on the phone that my child was driving 76 miles per hour down Chippenham."
Samantha of course was not thrilled with the idea, after all, like most teens, she wants her freedom.
"I was really angry because I knew I couldn't get away with anything anymore," says Samantha Stewart.
But over time she's come to respect her mom's decision, in fact when she got lost over the weekend, she called her mother.
"It helped me get home, that's for sure."
The device- which is installed underneath the steering column- cost Stewart about $250. And she pays a small montly fee to the "Drive Ok Company."
"I pay about $30 a month for this and I would not, not have it."
She says it's given her peace of mind.
"It's really been a lifesaver for us."
We checked around, and some of the most affordable GPS tracking services can be found online.
Stewart went through the "Drive Ok" program and says she'll keep it until her daughter's out of college.
It's a common complaint for parents - they hand over the keys - but don't know how or where their teens are driving. But it doesn't have to be that way - there are now ways for parents to know exactly where their sons and daughters are - and how fast they're going.
Donna Stewart is keeping close tabs on her daughter. 18-year-old Samantha has about a 20 minute drive home from school, and thanks to a GPS tracking device in her car, her mother knows every turn she's taking- even her speed limit.
"If she hits 71 I get a text message," says Stewart.
"It's not a snooping issue with me, it's a safety issue. I don't want to see her as one of the statistics, I want her to be safe."
Not aware the device was in her car, Samantha told her mom one day that she was going to Pizza Hut with some friends.
"Well, I hung up the phone and within 30 seconds I got a text message on the phone that my child was driving 76 miles per hour down Chippenham."
Samantha of course was not thrilled with the idea, after all, like most teens, she wants her freedom.
"I was really angry because I knew I couldn't get away with anything anymore," says Samantha Stewart.
But over time she's come to respect her mom's decision, in fact when she got lost over the weekend, she called her mother.
"It helped me get home, that's for sure."
The device- which is installed underneath the steering column- cost Stewart about $250. And she pays a small montly fee to the "Drive Ok Company."
"I pay about $30 a month for this and I would not, not have it."
She says it's given her peace of mind.
"It's really been a lifesaver for us."
We checked around, and some of the most affordable GPS tracking services can be found online.
Stewart went through the "Drive Ok" program and says she'll keep it until her daughter's out of college.