A nanny cam is a special type of surveillance camera small enough to be hidden inside a teddy bear, stereo equipment or other common household object. It is used for secretly monitoring or spying on baby sitters so that parents know how the nanny takes care of their children while they are away. Nanny cams can be used to record any kind of activity secretly, and as such their use is controversial.

Recording

The nanny cam is usually connected to a VCR or DVR, either by a cable or a wireless transmitter. Some nanny cams connect to the Internet and function similar to a web cam.

Advantages

There are many kinds of nanny cams available on the market today. Most of them range in price from $100 for a basic camera that has remote computer access, to more than $500 for digital systems that transmit video images at regular intervals or in real time via the Internet. These images can be viewed from a computer or a cell phone. Most nanny cams are wireless and versatile and can be concealed with a plant or a stuffed animal.

Disadvantages

There is always a question of ethics and privacy when it comes to recording anything secretly. Not all care providers are necessarily against being monitored, but they want to be informed about it beforehand. Spying on anyone creates a feeling of deception and distrust. A nanny cam can provide a positive connection between parents and their children and household while they are at work. Perhaps the best way to go about it is for the parents to tell the nanny that she will be monitored and it will be up to the care provider to accept or decline the job.

Legality

In the U.S., it is legal to use a hidden camera in all 50 states. However, it is illegal to record speech without a person’s consent in only 15 states.

Other Uses

Nanny cams can be used in much the same way as regular spy cams or surveillance cameras. They are practical for home, office and business use. There have been reports of nanny cams being used for unscrupulous purposes such as installing it in a bathroom or bedroom.

Article Source:   Paul Favors – www.ehow.com

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