Verizon Wireless today added new features to its Chaperone service, making it easier for parents to keep track of their children.

Chaperone 2.0 locates children and understands services they use. It offers:

- The ability to locate multiple Chaperone Child devices at the same time, either from the Chaperone Parent mobile device or the Chaperone website
- The introduction of Family SMS Messaging: Parents will be able to send text messages to one or more Chaperone Child phones from the Chaperone Parent mobile device or Chaperone website
- Integration with VZ Navigator: When a parent locates a Chaperone Child phone from a Chaperone Parent mobile device with a VZ Navigator subscription, they can automatically open VZ Navigator with the address pre-populated and receive turn-by-turn directions to their child's location
- Enhancements to Child Zones: Parents can add time and date settings to Child Zone SMS Alerts and schedule Child Zone alerts to be sent to the Chaperone Parent mobile device by text message or by email
- The capability to add up to four children within the account to each Child Zone

"Parents have told us they appreciate the notification features Chaperone offers because it gives them the security of knowing where their children are and the ability to locate them when they are carrying their wireless phones," said Mike Lanman, Chief Marketing Officer of Verizon Wireless. "Now, with Chaperone 2.0, we have added new capabilities that make the service even more useful for parents and for kids."

Chaperone was originally introduced in 2006. It determines the location of a child's cell phone using the Internet or another cell phone. When children carry a Verizon Wireless cell phone while on-the-go, the Chaperone website or the Chaperone Parent can view location information or be notified of the whereabouts of the Chaperone Child phone.

Chaperone 2.0 is available for $9.99 per line per month.

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