Parent to Parent: Family Map

WSVN -- Adriana Contreras is like any 18-year-old-- she just loves to spend the afternoon shopping. Back at home, dad Maurice doesn't worry. If he wants to know exactly where Adriana is, all he has to do is pick up the phone and activate his family map.

Maurice Contreras: "It's showing that she's at the shopping center at Coral Ridge Drive and Westview Drive."

The Family Map application is one of several cell phone tracking programs on the market now.

Maurice Contreras: "I have my wife and my daughter on the family map plan. I decided because it was a new feature I wanted to try it out."

The idea is popular with families, especially if they have teenage kids.

Kelly: "It gives them peace of mind. It's great for parents who want to make sure, especially for kids that are getting a little more independent to make sure they've gotten to school OK, they've gotten to the next place they're going."

The Family Map plan costs $10 per month to track two phones. If your family member's phone is on, you'll be able to find them.

Kelly: "If the device is on the dashboard of a car, versus being in a purse, you're going to get a more accurate reading outside versus being deep in a building, you'll get a more accurate reading, so it's anywhere from a few feet to a hundred feet."

While kids are busy texting, parents are tracking.

Maurice Contreras: "I can actually get a bird's eye view of where she's at."

You can also set up a program that tells you daily schedules accessed from phone or computer.

Maurice Contreras: "It sends me an e-mail telling me where she is at 8:00, where she was supposed to be at school, and if she's not, it actually tells me where she's at."

Adrianna admits the idea sounded a bit over-the-top at first, but now she likes the idea.

Adrianna Contreras: "Having the device on my phone makes me feel safe, knowing that it's there and that they can know where I am, if they need to."

And for dads like Maurice, it's a peace of mind he's more than willing to pay for.

Maurice Contreras: "Technology is evolving, and this is an excellent tool for knowing where your family and loved ones are at all times."

Lynn Martinez: "Most cell phone providers have some plan similar to the Family Map."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The Family Map Plan:
https://familymap.wireless.att.com/finder-att-family/welcome.htm