Are hidden camera's in the children's room a good idea?

Question

This just after watching the story of Elizabeth Smart. She was taken out of her own room. This is a case where of course a camera would have helped. We don't have them in our home at all, but are now going to install them. Besides the family room, and outside cameras, we are kind of up in the air with the girls rooms. Yes or NO?

Also what is a good brand to go with, if you already have them installed?

No right or wrong answers we just want opinions. THANK YOU in advance.

wowowo, it's not like we'd ever be watching the tapes, unless something bad were to ever happen. Come on people, like we'd watch them dress or undress. I don't know how most security cameras work, but ya, I'd have them run non stop. Just have them rerecord over the tape once it runs out. Like I said, it would never have to be viewed unless something bad happened.

Great answers, Like a lot of you said :tricky question. Would I like a camera in my room? NO, but what is the amount of privacy your willing to give up in order to stay safe.

If the kids get them in their room, so will we.

I find it hard to belive you could be up on child porn charges for this like someone suggested. But it's a good point, i will be checking into the laws before making any moves. Naturally I won't install them if thats the case.

Hey Numbskull Benvenuto: i said if they go in the childrens room, they go in my room too. whats fair is fair. read the question next time.

Answer 1

No way, do not put cameras in their room! Better would be to place a camera in the hallway with the bedroom door visible so that people that enter the room are recorded. Hang another on the outside of your home so that the window is visible but not so visible that you could see into it.

Answer 2

I think everyone has the right to have someplace where they can be totally in private. So no, I don't think hidden cameras are proper in anyone's bedroom. Adult or child.

Also, Elizabeth Smart wasn't taken by a stranger, but by someone her own mother brought home to do chores. If people are good parents, they won't give outsiders access to the layout of their homes.

I would think instead of hidden cameras, I would spend my money on devices to keep bad people away. Proper outside lighting, a couple of dogs (including one that sleeps in the room with the children) proper locks on the windows, a really good alarm system, all of those will do a lot more to keep your children safe than surveillance devices to watch their every move. If Elizabeth Smart's parents had been alerted that someone was in her room, that person could have been stopped BEFORE he stole their child.

All a hidden camera will do is show you pictures after the fact.

Answer 3

ummmmmmm
If your child is old enough to agree to having a hidden camera in the room .. PERHAPS...
BUT a child IS entitled to their privacy ... and if you are filming constantly you may be risking having yourself charged for the possession of Child pornography .... IF you are filming them while they undress etc... (even though THAT was not your intentions... what if somebody broke in and stole those videos of your girls ... and put them on the net)
IF though you have the camera's focussed on points of entry and not so much the child .. i guess it would be ok ...


Isn't it sad though that we feel we have to go to these extremes to protect our kids.

EDIT .. I appreciate your added comments and please know that in no way was i trying to infer anything nasty about your character ... I was just concerned if the tapes were ever stolen BEFORE you could erase them , It would be a further worry for you to find your kids on some vile paedophile site. I still maintain it would be best to only have the cameras focussed on the entry points not on the activity of the kids themselves.

once again GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

~When you say "we" I'm assuming you mean you and your husband? In that case, NO! Don't put them in the girls room. Unless you suspect some child molesting or something serious, allow your children their right to privacy as well.
I can't believe what electronics has reduced some people to!
I can see cameras outside, nothing more.
I'm so glad I grew up in a less complicated time.~

Answer 5

I think that it's really an invasion of their privacy if you were to do that. I know that they're your kids and I read that you wouldn't view the tapes unless absolutely necessary but I don't think that I would. I think that it would serve the same purpose to have the cameras installed to view all accessible exits / entrances. That's just me, tho.

Answer 6

I guess it would depend on the kind of neighborhood I live in and the age of my children. If they are 10 or up I wouldn't do to privacy issues but if they were younger than I might. Good Luck

Answer 7

tricky question, I can see why you are in two minds. It seems like it could be an invasion of privacy but you want your children to be safe. I think I would be inclined to ask myself how would I feel about having a camara in my room, and frankly I know I wouldn't like it so I'd have to go with no.

Answer 8

I would be willing to get security systems. I would be willing to put security restraints (bars) on the windows and doors for added security. But what I would not be willing to do, is to negitively effect my child's ability to establish an individual identity by taking from them any right to privacy.

Answer 9

If they find the cameras or you watching the tapes your kids are never going to trust you again. At least I wouldn't. Think about it. It's their private space only to find that their parents are watching every thing they do. They'd get really embarrased and mad. I agree with candleinthewind.

Answer 10

The chance of your child being taken from their own room is next to zero. This is ridiculous - hysterical nonsense. It infringes children's rights to privacy. It will make your children nervous wrecks.