Nanny Cams: The Pros and Cons of this Type of CCTV
In times gone by, the term “nanny cam” referred to a small video camera clandestinely installed in an every day household object to secretly monitor the activities of the hired help inside the home. The images that the camera records from its secret position are then stored on a tape, which is located inside a VCR that may be located inside another room. For all intents and purposes, these nanny cams are little more than CCTV systems. CCTV stands for closed-circuit television, and it is the kind of technology that permits business owners as well as homeowners to monitor their premises for a variety of reasons at any given moment. When it comes to nanny cams, there are a number of pros and cons of this type of CCTV.
Pros:
On the pro side we have the following aspects:
Many a time was a suspected child abuser caught in the act and could therefore be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In a day and age where reference checks are almost non-existent because of the high incident rate of fraud, it is good to know that in-home care providers are put on notice that their actions may be learned, and that consequences for their actions will not be far off.
Parents will be able to rest assured that their children are properly cared for in their absence.
In situations where nannies are made aware of the presence of nanny cams, these small cameras will act as deterrents rather than witnesses to abuse. In other words, the disclosed use of a nanny cam will make it less likely that abuse will occur.
Cons:
On the con side, there are these arguments to consider:
If you place a hidden camera in a room where a nanny, in-home care provider, or anyone else who is in your home with your permission may expect some privacy, then any recordings you make may actually come back to harm you! For example, if you are setting up the camera to monitor your nanny as she gives your children a bath – perhaps because you suspect that she leaves them alone in the bathtub – you must know that the bathroom is one of these areas that is considered off limits when installing a camera, simply because the nanny could reasonably expect some privacy in the bathroom. You might find yourself getting sued for illegal search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
If you install eavesdropping devices in addition to your cameras, you may very well be treading on thin legal ice, since eavesdropping laws have become very strict in recent years.
If you capture child abuse with the help of a hidden nanny cam, the despicable act has already happened, and your child will have fallen victim to the crime.
Of course, with the proper permissions granted and waivers signed, the nanny cam is indeed a tool that will both protect you and also your nanny or household employee. After all, the suspicion of child abuse or theft is easily raised, yet taped evidence can show to the contrary that the bruises your child sports in the evening when you return home are indeed self inflicted, and that your household help may have never entered the room in question, and it is much more likely that you have misplaced the ring or necklace in question. As you can see, the CCTV technology employed inside the home can be beneficial for both parties.
Conclusion:
Of course, there are no substitutes for the proper hiring techniques of nannies and other household help:
Whenever possible, use either a word of mouth referral from your dearest friends or contact a reputable agency. The agencies have a lot to loose if they send unqualified individuals to your home, and so you will have the initial peace of mind that the person ringing your doorbell has had at least some background checks completed.
Complete your own background checks or request copies from the referring agencies. Usually a fingerprint, social security number check, and criminal background checks should have been run. Additionally, be sure to run your nanny’s name through the Meagan’s Law websites that are available on the Internet.
Personally check the references your household help provides. Granted, more often than not you run the risk of speaking with a friend or relative of your nanny, but these discussions may nonetheless provide you with some insight about your nanny’s character.
