OnStar's Family Link Helps Parents Keep Tabs on Teen Drivers

Forget Big Brother. With OnStar’s Family Link, teen drivers should have no doubt that Mom or Dad is checking in on them and their car’s location.

For OnStar subscribers, Family Link is an optional service that allows them to log in to the Family Link website and see their car’s location on a map using the Vehicle Locate feature. Subscribers also can receive emails or text messages to alert them about a car’s location with Vehicle Location Alert. The frequency of the alerts is controlled by the subscriber.

Last year, 4,500 OnStar subscribers participated in a pilot program for the Family Link service. “They told us that Family Link provides them peace of mind by staying connected to their family when they’re on the road,” said Joanne Finnorn, vice president of OnStar’s Subscriber Services.

The service can be added to any existing OnStar package for $3.99 a month. A phased rollout of the program will begin in April.