How Do Nanny Cameras Work?
If you’re a parent that often finds leaving your children alone necessary for work, hiring nannies or babysitters may be a way to ensure that your children are safe and secure even though you are not at home. However, having strangers come over to take care of your children is not exactly the most comfortable option for situations like these. And while you may think that you have no other option, learning how do nanny cameras work might give some kind of idea that can help you have that sense of comfort and peace of mind whenever and wherever you are.
What Are Nanny Cameras?
What are nanny cameras, and how do nanny cameras work? Nanny cameras, often referred to as hidden cameras or spy cameras, are surveillance and monitoring devices typically installed to keep an eye on babysitters, caretakers, and nannies that stay at your home for a considerable amount of time. In doing so, the user can view and monitor what normally occurs at home with the babysitter, caretakers, and nannies taking over the events that happen in the house.
What to Look for in Nanny Cameras?
Knowing how do nanny cameras work may give you some ideas on how to use it and where to put it. However, while nanny cameras are primarily designed to monitor your homes, these surveillance cameras can offer more than just simple live video streaming and recording. Before you purchase a nanny camera for your home, here are some features that you might want to consider:
- Full HD capable video quality resolution
- One-way or Two-way audio communication option
- Wireless or wire-free power source for flexibility and versatility
- iOS, Android, and Smart technology compatibility
- Motion detection sensors
- Continuous video recording through local or cloud storage
- Wide and adjustable viewing angle
Exposed or Hidden?
It is a common misconception that nanny cameras automatically need to be hidden. Nanny cameras are generally used to monitor your nanny, babysitter, caretaker, and the likes while you are not at home. However, it doesn't immediately mean that it is supposed to be a hidden spy camera for it to be effective. Nanny cameras can either be exposed or hidden, and there are several advantages and disadvantages between the two setups.
Exposed nanny cameras are your typical home surveillance cameras. It often feature motion detections sensors, unlimited video recording, two-way audio communication, and option for remote access that allows to view and monitor your home anytime and anywhere. On the other hand, hidden nanny cameras are more intricate as they are often disguised as ordinary objects such as a book, a teddy bear, or a clock, which makes it unnoticeable. This allows you to view what happens at home without altering or influencing the interaction and events of the people at home.
Whether or not you choose to install exposed or hidden nanny cameras at home, you need to keep in mind that the purpose of nanny cameras is to provide you a sense of peace of mind and allow you to feel better connected without being physically present. Furthermore, it is even more important to take note of the different privacy laws that you can possibly violate using hidden nanny cameras in your home.
Pros and Cons of Nanny Cameras
Pros
- Closely monitor and survey what happens in your home
- Achieve comfort and peace of mind
- Be connected and involved despite being away
- Serve as eyes and ears for feedback
- Home surveillance and monitoring is your right
Cons
- Can be misunderstood as violation of privacy
- Can lead to distrust
- Possibility of breaking the law concerning privacy and recording
Are Hidden Nanny Cameras Illegal?
Now that we know how do nanny cameras work, there are several reasonable motives that would urge you to install hidden surveillance cameras in your home. Having the ability to monitor and survey your home while you're away is not just a matter of security for your property. Still, it is even more crucial in ensuring the safety of your loved ones left at home. Considering that nanny cameras are typically used to keep an eye on your children and babysitters when you are not present, it is fairly logical to have these cameras hidden and secret from your sitters as to not affect or alter the normal interaction and dynamics between your children and babysitter.
However, the question that begs to be answered is whether or not hidden nanny cameras are actually legal. For the most part, you are allowed to install surveillance cameras and record what happens in your home. However, the video surveillance law states that it is illegal for you to install video cameras in private areas of your home, such as the bathroom and the nanny's personal bedroom. On the other hand, the law for audio and video communication for nanny cameras differ from one state to another. Some states follow the one-person consent rule that allows audio or video recording as long as one person involved is knowledgeable of the event. However, the States of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington implies that the lack of consent from the babysitter is an automatic violation of the audio recording law. Find out more about nanny cameras.
Conclusion
Nanny cameras are an effective and convenient tool that can be used to monitor your babysitter or caretaker while you are away from home. Whether it be a quick run to the grocery store, unexpected overtime at work, or a quick getaway vacation, knowing how do nanny cameras work can help you decide whether it is applicable and advantageous for you to install nanny cameras in your home. Keep in mind that the goal is to achieve comfort and peace of mind by knowing that you can easily access and view what is happening in your home in real-time. Just keep in mind the specific state laws concerning privacy and recording to make sure that you are not in violation of anyone's trust and privacy.
