December 6, 2019 | Criminal Law

It has never been easier to set up and hide nanny security cameras than it is today. A couple of decades ago, these secretive devices needed to be concealed in a stuffed animal or another large object.

Nowadays, however, technology has improved to the point where it is possible to put a camera into even the smallest item. A quick search online will show that it is possible to pick up a nanny cam pen or nanny cam alarm clock for less than $50.

Of course, the fact that a product is affordable and widely available does not necessarily mean that it is legal. So, before you begin monitoring your babysitter on hidden cam, it is worth learning a little more about the law.

Can I Put a Hidden Camera on My Child in the State of Kentucky?

Legally, nanny cams are allowable everywhere in the United States. However, the restrictions placed on how you may use your cameras can vary significantly from one state to the next.

In Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Utah, nanny cams cannot be used to monitor babysitters in private places. Generally speaking, this means that you cannot record them in the bathroom or a live-in bedroom in these states.

The two-party consent laws in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington state that babysitters must be notified if they are being audio recorded. They do not need to be notified if they are only being video recorded.

As you may have noticed, the state of Kentucky is not mentioned in either of the above lists. Since there are no restrictions in place, you are therefore free to record your baby and their nanny just about anywhere in your home.

Why Do Parents Install Nanny Cams in Their Homes?

Parents install nanny cams in their homes for one very simple reason – the safety of their child. A quick look at some statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice shows why this is necessary.

Child Abuse by Babysitters – The Statistics

Data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System shows that:

  • Babysitters are responsible for 4.2 percent of all offenses against children under the age of 6.
  • Sex crimes are by far the most common type of offense committed against children. Physical assaults come in a distant second place.
  • Male babysitters commit 77 percent of all sex crimes against children. Meanwhile, female babysitters commit 64 percent of all physical assault offenses against the kids in their care.

Parents who install nanny cams do so to prevent their child from becoming a part of these statistics.

How to Set Up a Nanny Cam

Setting up a nanny cam is usually a relatively straightforward process. It can be broken down into these four easy steps:

Find the Right Nanny Cam System for You

Before purchasing a baby/nanny cam, it is generally a good idea to spend some time figuring out which system is right for you. If, for instance, you only need to monitor a relatively small space for a couple of hours a week, a relatively basic system will probably work. If you need to keep an eye on the whole house for longer periods of time, you will probably require a more advanced set-up.

Place the Cameras

When you have your new system in hand, you will next need to decide exactly where to place the cameras. Don’t be afraid to experiment with lots of different locations until you find the right ones.

Connect the Cameras to Your Network

Once you have found the perfect place to put your cameras, you will need to connect them to your home WiFi network. You should be able to find instructions for this process in or on the packaging that the cameras came in. It shouldn’t take longer than a few minutes.

View the Stream

When you have successfully connected your cameras to the internet, all that is left to do is take a look at the stream on your phone or computer to make sure it works. If all looks good, you will then be able to come back to the same app to monitor the babysitter cameras again in the future.

To learn more, call our Louisville criminal defense law firm at (502) 371-7000 or visit our contact us page to send us an email.