Verizon Launches Mobile Chaperone Service For Kids

US wireless service provider, Verizon, in collaboration with Vodafone has launched a new wireless service which helps parents/guardians set geographic limits for their kids and receive text alerts on a mobile device when they venture out of bounds. The service also lets parents pinpoint the location via a map on their cell phone or computer. Verizon has also announced that it may to develop a version of the service for older children, using more sophisticated phones. However, initially the service is being launched only for parents with children using the Migo phone from LG electronics which is a simple four button phone designed specially for children. The target consumers are parents of 5 to 9 year olds but the market is likely to expand soon. The service will be accessible through 10 different phone models phones from Samsung, LG and Motorola. The service costs $9.99 a month for just the location-viewing feature and rises to $19.99 a month if the parent also opts for a boundary-setting feature. This chaperone service by Verizon comes after a similar service that Sprint Nextel introduced in April at the same price.