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The Advantages & Disadvantages Of Nanny Cams
Nanny cams can give parents peace of mind when they’re away from home. They can be hidden or installed in plain sight to monitor the nanny and children’s activities and behaviors. While some see as it as helpful, others may see it as an invasion of privacy or an uncomfortable situation.
Of course, there are rules and regulations in place to combat these issues. Recording a video of anything that happens in your home is legal, however, you must have a legitimate reason for doing it. Monitoring your baby or caregiver falls into that category, but regardless of whether the surveillance camera is hidden or not, they must be located in public areas of the house such as the kitchen or living room. Video recording in areas where there is an expectation of privacy (such as the bathroom or your bedroom) is not permitted.
When it comes to audio recording, you must inform and get the consent of the person being recorded. Because of this, often times nanny cams do not record audio. If you do record a video with audio that has evidence of abuse, the footage would be inadmissible in court and you could be liable for breaking privacy laws.
With that said, if used appropriately and within legal limitations, nanny cams can be a useful tool for parents. If you are considering installing a nanny cam, here are some of the pros and cons.
Pros
- Peace Of Mind
Especially with new parents, it can be hard leaving your children in someone else’s care. With a nanny cam, you can ease your worries by checking in on your children to see that they are safe. - Nanny Behavior
If your children are young, they may not be able to tell you what is happening while you’re away. You can’t always rely on feedback from friends and neighbors who may see your children and nanny together at the park or school. The nanny cam allows you to monitor behavior and address any issues accordingly. - Connection
For parents who feel guilty for going back to work and missing quality time with their children, nanny cams can enable them to feel more of a connection as they can periodically check in and see what their kids are up to.
Cons
- Trust
Aside from privacy issues, the person being recorded may feel violated or offended if they find a hidden camera. To combat this issue, it’s best if you are upfront and honest about your plans to install a nanny cam. Most nannies are comfortable working in the presence of a nanny cam. - Misuse
Your nanny cam should be used to deter or prevent potential neglect or abuse, not used to capture it. Communicate your expectations and take action if you feel something isn’t right. - Legalities
As mentioned, you must abide by the law. Look into your state’s laws regarding privacy and recording and be sure that your nanny cams and surveillance system are in compliance.
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Need help choosing the right nanny cam or surveillance system for you? Contact us at 888-203-6294 and we will be happy to discuss your options. You may also browse our stock of IP security cameras and other surveillance equipment online at SecurityCamExpert.com.
Hidden Security Cameras Track Student Attendance
The importance of class attendance in relation to good grades was likely questioned and tested during college years (maybe even during high school for some). Whatever your excuse, there has likely been a time when your skipped a class. Some professors take attendance, whether verbally, through sign in sheets, or through their own method. Others simply go by the honor system, or leave attendance up to you. Regardless of your presence or absence, how would you feel about attendance being taken via hidden security cameras?
At Harvard, students’ attendance was tracked via hidden security cameras, without the professors’ or students’ knowledge. Hidden cameras were placed in lecture halls to take photos, which were later analyzed. Students were not positively identified; rather the amount of occupied seats was compared to enrollment numbers. Immediately after analyzing, photos were destroyed. Despite the fact that the experiment was submitted to a review board before being carried out, students and professors were still unhappy when the news surfaced. Moving forward, the undergraduate’s Dean’s office will be involved when approving studies conducted on campus.
Had the students been informed, do you think this would influence students to attend class, thus producing inaccurate or misleading numbers? We would love for you to share your opinions with us and your peers respectfully – find us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Pinterest.
When you consider using hidden security cameras, like nanny cams or spy cameras, please be sure to research your local laws regarding video and audio recording. Hidden security cameras are generally not allowed in areas with an expectation of privacy, such as restrooms, bedrooms, or dressing rooms. It is your responsibility to use these cameras legally and lawfully.
We’ve got great hidden security cameras and nanny cams for your home. For affordable quality, browse our selection online at SecurityCamExpert.com. You can reach us over the phone at 1-888-203-6294. Our office hours are from 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday.