These days protecting parents are looking for different ways to ensure their children’s safety. If you’re working from home, or you’re stay at home, things are simpler. You’re always there.
But what to do if you work remotely and can’t be with your child every minute.
Well, this is the reason people go for nanny cameras. These devices are equipped with wifi connection, allowing parents to access live feed from anywhere. On top of that, the recorded footage can be stored on your PC hard drive or other storage unit.
While these gadgets come with great set of features, there are some drawbacks as well. In this article, we’ll try to go through and cover some of the pros and cons of nanny spy cameras.
Pros of Wi-Fi Enabled Nanny Cameras
First, let’s look at the pros:
1. Remote Monitoring
As mentioned, one of the most significant advantages of wifi nanny cam is the ability to remotely monitor your child.
Doesn’t matter if you’re at work, running errands somewhere, or traveling, you can always access live video feeds from your smartphone or computer. This feature offers peace of mind, as parents can check in on their child’s well-being any time.
For working parents, this is an amazing solution. You can stay connected with your baby even while away. You can see their faces, smiles although you’re not physically there.
2. Video Recording and Storage
Many Wi-Fi nanny cameras also offer video recording and storage capabilities. For example, if you want to record your baby’s first words, steps or see them make a cute gesture, but can’t physically be there, the camera can record all that and store it for you to serve as invaluable memories you’d otherwise miss.
On another hand, the footage can serve as evidence in case of any accidents and wrongdoings. If a nanny/babysitter acts inappropriately or carelessly, that video footage will be important piece of evidence for you to have.
3. Alerts and Notifications
Some of the new nanny cam models have motion detection abilities and even sound sensors. What this means for you? Well, you can send instant notifications to your device if something unusual occurs, like dog walks into baby’s room when he’s not supposed to. Or if camera catches unexpected loud noise it can immediately notify the parents without them being glued to the monitor screen constantly.
These alerts can help enhance security and safety. Parents can respond promptly to any potential issues, such as a child climbing on furniture or a caregiver becoming agitated. This real-time information can be a lifeline in emergencies.
This greatly enhances security and safety. Now mom or dad can react fast to any dangers occurring with their kids. This insta-notification feature can be a lifeline in certain emergency situations.
4. Two-way Communication
On top of what we’ve just mentioned, certain nanny cams have this 2-way communication feature enabled. That means parents not only can see and heard their baby, but also talk to them in real time. They could contact a babysitter to ask questions, remind them where baby milk is stored and so on.
Not only that, but now baby can see parents faces and interact with them. This will maintain stronger bond between parents and children while they grow up.
Cons of Wi-Fi Nanny Cameras
Now that we’ve looked at some cool features and positives of having nanny cameras, let’s discuss the negatives as well.
1. Privacy Concerns
One of the first things that comes to mind when you talk about installing a nanny camera is privacy concern. On one hand, you want maximum control and safety for your child. On the other hand, you don’t want to breach privacy of your caregiver.
There are also ethical considerations surrounding the invasion of privacy.
Hired babysitter deserve privacy and covert surveillance without their consent may raise ethical, and in some cases, legal questions.
One possible solution to this could be informing a nanny that the rooms are being monitored. This could act as a deterrent and prevent any possible child abuse in the future also.
2. Vulnerabilities to Hacking
Any device connected through wifi (internet) is susceptible to hacking. Nanny cameras are no exception, unless you go for wired cams.
Having someone hack into your home network and record your house secretly jeopardizes your own privacy and security.
It’s best to avoid cheap, unknown brands when it comes to your child’s safety. Go for more reputable, companies, do research online to see what others recommend. Another thing is to update old device firmware and passwords on a regular basis to minimize the risk of break-in.
3. Cost of Equipment and Monitoring Services
If you choose higher quality camera, based on video resolution or other extra features, you’re going to spend more money. Keep in mind, on top of that, there could also be storage fees, monthly subscriptions or other maintenance costs.
For some families, these expenses can add up and drain their budget, making it less viable to maintain the camera and monitoring services.
Be sure to shop around for the right solution that won’t empty your pockets, yet provide you with the necessary functions.
4. Legal Considerations
Lastly, we have to talk about the legal aspect of these nanny, hidden cameras. As a general rule, we can’t give legal advice here. Moreover, it depends on the jurisdiction you live in. That’s why it’s strongly suggested for you to check with your local laws to see if having a surveillance camera in your house and monitoring another person without their consent is allowed by law or not. In some cases, you are required to inform the other party, in others it’s perfectly fine.
You kind of do have to juggle between child safety and protection versus what’s legal and ethical. That part is up to you to research and decide for yourself.
Tips for Choosing and Using Wi-Fi Enabled Nanny Cameras
Now that you’ve decided to invest in a nanny camera, let’s cover what are the main key aspects you should look into when choosing a nanny cam.
1. Camera features: Look for cameras with high-resolution video, night vision, possibly motion detection option. Secure encryption is also a plus.
2. Placement of cameras: Avoid placing them in private areas like bathrooms. But make sure you are able to see what you want to see. Be sure the view can’t be obstructed by any moving objects.
Best practices for setting up and using nanny cameras:
1. Secure network and passwords: Ensure your home Wi-Fi network is secure, and change default camera passwords to strong, unique ones.
2. Communication with nanny: You could have an open and honest conversation with caregivers about the presence of nanny cameras, respecting their privacy and building trust.
Real-Life Stories and Case Studies
To provide a more comprehensive understanding, here are a few real-life scenarios illustrating the benefits and challenges of using Wi-Fi enabled nanny cameras:
Example 1: Enhanced Security
Imagine a scenario where your child is peacefully sleeping, while you work remotely and can’t be around. Possibly babysitter is asleep as well.
All of a sudden, an intruder tries to break in to your house. Well, motion detection sensors kick in, and send you an alert. You turn on the live feed and can see what’s happening. You call nanny and warn her; also inform the police. She can scream or make some noises to distract possible intruders.
There are many such cases where such nanny cameras have saved the day.
Example 2: Privacy Gone Wrong
Here’s another situation. You have nanny camera placed in a well camouflaged area. Despite your best efforts, nanny discovers the secret surveillance camera and realizes she was recorder without her knowledge.
Now you’ve had this nanny for over a year and she’s the best one so far. You’ve had great relationships for a long time.
But now she feels that her privacy was violated. She doesn’t trust you anymore. She quits and looks for another family to help, while you’re left looking for another nanny (possible worse one).
Conclusion
We have to look at both options, from both perspectives to get a better idea of this situation. Nanny cameras are without a doubt an amazing technological achievement. A small device that enabled protection of your loved ones and acts as a great solution for many modern working parents.
They can be packed with amazing features. Motion detection, microphones, night vision and so on.
But as with anything balancing the pros and cons is what we’re left with. Safety vs privacy, law vs surveillance. Hope you take time and consider the use of these spy nanny cameras for your situation that doesn’t break laws and provides your family with maximum safety moving forward.
