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IP Video Cameras for Nanny and Babysitting Cams

Topic: Child Care - Nanny Cams

We all love our children, but there are times when we must be away from them, either for business or just a little bit of "grown-up time." In these instances there must be some adult supervision for the child, and this generally comes from nannies and babysitters. While nannies and babysitters are wonderful things, it is important that you know they are giving the best in care for your child, and for this reason hidden "nannycams" are becoming more and more popular.

Uses of an IP NannyCam

When you are away from your children it is still possible to keep an eye on them, and the nanny/babysitter, through the use of an IP video camera. These are small, easily hidden devices which will take and record video in a digital format. Upon your return either from work or from wherever else you may have been you can check up on how your children were while you were away and to ensure your nanny provided the best of care for your child.

IP video cameras are also useful as a general security feature for your home, alerting you to instances where an intruder might have invaded the sanctity of your home. You can also use it to keep track of your child while they sleep while you are in another room, or for a multitude of other purposes.

Dangers of a NannyCam

Using an IP camera to record your children and their nannies while they are away can be an excellent thing, but there are some potential concerns which you should look into. The first is that of privacy. Being recorded without consent is viewed by many as an invasion of privacy, and in some municipalities and/or states it is illegal. Depending on the laws in your state, consent may be required before you can record your nannies while you are away.

Most IP network nanny cameras transmit video via a wireless signal. This allows them to be placed anywhere in a room without any tell-tale cords giving away their presence. However, this also opens up your IP camera's signal to being viewed by outsiders who might be in wireless range. When picking out your camera, pick one that allows for a secure, encrypted signal. You don't want to be broadcasting the inside of your home to anyone in the area with a wireless connection.

Lastly, it is possible for these cameras to be damaged. Usually they do not look like cameras, but are disguised as something else: an alarm clock, a teddy bear, etc. Because of this, it might be accidentally moved and/or mishandled, causing damage to the camera.

Advice for IP Network NannyCams

There are some things that you should look at before purchasing and installing an IP network NannyCam in your home.

Do you need a hidden IP camera? How well do you know your nanny? Do you trust them?
Where are you going to be placing the camera? You should look for an area that gets maximum coverage of the main room/s where your children spend time.
If you are getting a disguised camera, get something that matches the location in which you have chosen to place it. If you plan to place it on a bookshelf, there are cameras which look like books. If it is going atop a desk or nightstand, an alarm clock camera might be a better option.
Make sure, particularly if you are concealing the camera from your nanny, that the software applications are safely hidden on your computer. You don't want the nanny to be able to access the information from the camera on your computer while you're away.