by Priscilla Benfield

Created on: June 13, 2009

A nanny-cam is a controversial tool used by some daycare centers and in private homes. For the new parent who has no choice but to put their infant into a daycare setting, a nanny-cam allows them to check in on their child while they are at work. It can be valuable to give the parent piece of mind and also to catch moments of their child's day that they are not able to share. Many daycare facilities advertise their centers as providing this service to give parents additional peace of mind. Trust is important to have in any relationship with a child care provider. Having a nanny-cam just provides an extra back-up.

When baby monitors were first introduced, they quickly became a valuable tool for the parent to be able to hear when a sleeping child would waken.Parents enjoyed this new technology that allowed them to be outside doing gardening while the child napped. Nanny-cams are just a progression of that idea. Although nanny-cams do not take the place of a competent person being with the child, they do give that added security of being eyes and ears to what is going on within view of the camera.

Installing a nanny-cam in your home is often viewed as a negative thing to do. People would argue that if you trust your child care provider there is no need to "spy" on them. If there are questions about your child's safety a nanny-cam is only going to be evidence of abuse, it cannot stop the abuse from happening. If a parent has serious doubts, they should hire a new sitter immediately and not take the chance of subjecting their child to danger.Nanny-cam's have been used as evidence in cases of abuse or neglect by the child care provider and were instrumental in prosecuting the abusive nanny.

Having a nanny-cam in your home can have benefits. Just as many daycare facilities promote, any time during the day you have the ability to log on from your computer at work and see your child. For the busy parent who may feel like they are missing out, this is a tool to be able to see what your child is doing.Many of us need to work for economic reasons.Some feel tremendous guilt for having to leave their infant in the care of a nanny.Being able to check on your baby and perhaps view milestones via your computer can help you to feel connected. For some it might tug at your heartstrings to see your precious baby and feel regret at not being able to be there physically. Imagine what it was like before the advances in technology. Before nanny-cams you did not "see" your child until you returned home. At least with this technology you can ease your mind by seeing that your child is fine.

Nanny-cams are a technological step up from the baby monitor and can be used as a positive tool for those who need to be away from their child. They can be your window into your child's world when you cannot be there.

Learn more about this author, Priscilla Benfield.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.