Nanny Cams - An Overview
Nanny cams are all the rage these days. As hidden cameras get cheaper, smaller, and easier to disguise, more and more people are putting in hidden cameras to keep an eye on their children’s caregivers.
Nanny cams are quite simply cameras, hidden or otherwise, that records the actions of caregivers and let parents monitor what’s going on when they’re not home. These cameras can be purchased very cheaply and set up by almost anyone; a wireless camera with a receiver hooked into a computer can be purchased for as little as $100.
Most people who choose to use nanny cams do so for their own peace of mind and to protect their children. Very few people actually suspect their caregivers of wrongdoing; obviously no one would hire a caregiver they didn’t trust.
Nanny cams are legal in all 50 states, even when the caregiver does not know their actions are being recorded. However, in 15 states (CA, CT, DE, FL, HI, IL, LA, MD, MA, MT, NE, NH, OR, PA and WA) it is illegal to record speech without the person’s consent, so only video recordings are legal in those states. Of course, if the caregiver is aware of the recording and consents to it, recording both video and audio are perfectly legal.
Most in-home caregivers and babysitters are not opposed to nanny cams per se, but believe they should be aware that they are under surveillance. Understandably, many people do not like the idea of being videotaped without their knowledge.
Setting up a nanny cam is not necessarily a demonstration of distrust. Many daycare centers have cameras and allow parents to check on their children throughout the day through secure web sites. Many times, the parent is as much interested in what is going on throughout the day, as checking up to make sure that the caregiver is taking proper care of the child.
Tags: Daycare
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