Newest Key to Teenage Freedom

Oct. 6, 2008— -- Car keys -- long perceived as the keys to teenagers' freedom -- may soon be the best way for parents to monitor their every move.

Ford Motor Co. announced today it will offer a new feature, starting next summer on some of its 2010 cars and trucks, that allows parents to set safety limits on teen drivers through a high-tech car key.

Watch "World News With Charles Gibson" tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET for the full report.

Want to ensure your teen can't drive over 80 mph? Or listen to loud music while driving? Or cruise around town without buckling up? A computer chip in the key allows parents to add those features when the key is in the ignition, and ensures a six-second chime will sound every minute if teens don't fasten their seatbelts. Drivers will also be alerted earlier than usual if they're low on fuel, with the computer chip triggering a warning at 75 miles before the gas tank is empty.

"I think it is a great idea. It is not something that is punitive, it is not set too low to be safe," said Barbara Kurzman, who added that she did buy her children cars when they turned 16. "It just makes sense. I would have wanted my children to have the capacity not to go over 80 miles an hour."

But just how warmly the device will be received by teenagers is up for debate. Today in Los Angeles, 17-year-old Joshua Cruz was among several teens who said he disliked the idea of his parents monitoring his driving habits when they weren't sitting next to him.

"I think it would mean that they don't trust you since they don't think that you are responsible enough to decide what to do," Cruz said. "It is not OK, because you should be able to trust your child."

Ruby Medina, who said she lost a friend in a car crash, also said it would limit her freedom, but conceded that if given a choice, "I would take it 'cause it is a car."

"Teens weren't really excited about this," admitted Jim Buczkowski, Ford's director of electronic and electrical systems engineering. "But when they found out that parents potentially would give them more access to the vehicle, their interest doubled as well, too."