Recently we got bumped by a lot of OPs on forums, who were asking the questions like ”Can my parents put a camera in my bedroom? Is it illegal to put a camera in my son or daughter's room?” So we decide to write a specific post to provide the detailed answers to whether it's legal for parents to install CCTV security cameras in children's room.
Table of Contents:
#1. Can My Parents Install a Security Camera in My Bedroom
#2. What Should I Do If My Parents Put a Camera in My Room
#3. Can You (As a Parent) Install Security Cameras in Your Child's Room
When talking about whether parents can put security cameras in children's room, here is what you need to know:
| Discussion | Legal/illegal |
| Legal Situation | If children are under 18 |
| Illegal Places | Bathroom/toilet/changing room |
| Effective Ways | Talk to parents, etc. |
#1. Can My Parents Put a CCTV Camera in My Room
Whether it's legal for your parents to put a security camera in your room depends on the individual circumstance.
1. Cases When It's Legal for Parents to Put a Camera in Children's Room
2. Circumstances When It's Illegal for Parents to Install a Camera in a Kid's Room
Yes, it's legal for a father or mother to put a CCTV camera in a child's room in the below circumstances:
1. If children are under 18 or underage, they are considered as minor and dependents and hence they don't enjoy elaborate privacy laws. So parents have the rights to install the cameras in any rooms they like, except bathrooms, toilets, changing room, etc.
So if you are in the same shoes as the teenager, who asked a question on Quora① if his or her parents could install a security camera in the bedroom, the answer is ”Yes”.
2. It's legal for parents to install baby monitors to keep tabs on their infants or kids (typically under the age of 4) in their bedrooms, in the living room, kitchen, etc.
3. It's legal for a parent to use nanny cams to see whether their kids are being well taken care of by the babysitter with the consent of the babysitter. Please mark that laws have strict rules on audio recording. No one can record audio without the consent of the person being recorded.
4. It's legal for parents to install security cameras in their own house, including children's room, kitchen for the legitimate reasons.
For example, if a child is mentally or physically disabled, or seriously ill (such as autism, depression, etc.), his or her parents or guardians have the legal rights to install a camera in the kid's bedroom to keep him or her safe.
So if you are seeking the answer to the question ”Is it illegal for my parents to put a camera in the kitchen room to spy on me”, the answer is ”It's legal”.
Now check the situations when it's illegal for parents to put a camera in a child's room.
No, it's illegal for parents to install CCTV surveillance cameras in children's bedroom in the below situations:
1. It would be illegal for parents to install a hidden spy camera in the room of a young adult over 18.
A person over 18 enjoys the elaborate privacy laws. It would be considered as invasion of privacy to put a camera in an adult's personal bedroom.
2. It's illegal for a parent or guardian to place a camera in the bathroom, toilet, changing room, etc. to spy on a kid. It's an invasion of privacy and can be considered as a prosecutable and punishable felony.
If you have the same question as the Quora OP②, the answer is ”No”.
3. Under no circumstance should parents photograph children undressed using hidden cameras.
Also, your neighbors, roommates, landlord cannot install security cameras in any areas that a person has the reasons to privacy, typically including the below places:
• Restrooms
• Other people's homes
• Dressing rooms
• Other areas that related to personal privacy
#2. What to Do If Your Parents Install Security Cameras in Your Bedroom
If you find out there is a hidden camera put in your bedroom by your parents, don't get angry. There would be some specific reasons why your parents do this.
Reason typically include:
• Your parents would like to ensure that you are doing your homework instead of watching TV or playing computer games.
• Your mother & father might suspect you are taking drugs, smoking or doing something they consider dangerous.
• Your parents just want to make sure that you are safe.
• Bad parents (hope you are not in this case) may record their children for illegal reasons (such as child pornography).
You can take the blow helpful ways to deal with the problem.
1. Talk to your parents. You can tell them how you feel when being spied by a camera in the corner. For example, you can say that you are just feeling quite stressed when in a surveillance environment, and request them to remove the camera.
And if your parents install the camera to check if you are doing homework instead of doing anything improper, you can make a promise that you'll finish your homework on time, and will not do anything dangerous. Sign a guarantee if necessary.
Your parents would be happy to take the camera away from your bedroom once you are well-behaved.
2. Get your relatives involved. If your parents don't listen to you, you can ask your grandparents, uncles, aunts and other relatives for help.
Your relatives can talk to your parents and help to persuade your guardians to remove the hidden camera from your room.
3. Get a counsellor. You can speak to a counsellor to get some helpful advice from someone without any connections to your parents. In some cases, you may get a low-cost or even free consultation (depending on where you live).
4. Move to another place. If your parents refuse to take away the camera, you can move to your colleage or an apartment when you are over 18. You can enjoy the full privacy rights in a new place.
In some extreme circumstances, it would be the best choice to run away from those creepy parents who would film their children with illegal reasons.
Hope the above tips have answered your question (like the OPs posted the questions on Reddit③④⑤) on how to deal with the situation when parents put a camera in your room, bathroom, dresssing room, etc.
And if you have any questions or ideas, please share with us in the comment below.
#3. Can You (As a Parent) Install Security Cameras in Your Son or Daughter's Room
You can check if it's legal to have video cameras for your child's bedroom in the Part 1.
As the owner of your house, you have every right to install security cameras in your kitchen, living room, garden, and even your child's room.
But be cautious when you put a camera in your son or daughter's room. There would be some consequences.
The Consequences of Installing Hidden Cameras in Your Child's Room
• It might damage the mutual trust between you and your children. Your son or daughter may feel like he or she isn't trusted, which will affect your and your child's relation.
• You might go to jail (in some extreme cases). If you photograph your child undressed, the authority may consider that you are against the laws of unlawful surveillance. You might get arrested for that.
So as a worried parent, who just wants to make sure everything is going right about your child, you can try the below useful tips.
How to Balance a Parent's Rights and the Child's Rights to Privacy
1. Take a face-to-face talk. Communication is always one of the best ways to deal with such an issue. You can tell your children you are just caring and loving them so much, and just trying to protect them.
You just want to put a camera in their room to keep things on track.
2. See things from your children's perspective. If you were your child, you would not want your parents to have a camera to keep tab on you 24/7. So if your children request you to remove the camera, you can ”negotiate” with them to reach a win-win situation.
For example, you can promise that you will not ”spy” on them once they finish the homework on time, and are not addicted to computer games, taking drugs, smoking, etc.
Keep in mind that parents and children always need to communicate in order to avoid unnecessary argument or misunderstanding.
If you have any questions or any insights, please leave them in the comment below! We will feature your ideas in this post!
Reference:
① A Quora poster's question: Is it illegal for parents to put a camera in their 13-year-old child's bedroom?
② A Quoa poster's question: Is it okay (or even legal) for parents to install a wireless camera in the bathroom where their child uses?
③ A Quora poster's question: How can I deal with the fact that my parents setup hidden cameras on my room and bathroom without telling me? (I'm a 16-year-old girl.)
④ A question of a Quora OP: What should I do if my parents installed a security camera in my room? I'm 12, and my parents put a security camera directly facing my bed and check it quite a few times during the night.
⑤ A poster of Reddit: My dad installed a security camera to spy on me. What to do?
I am not convinced of the efficacy of your advice. Firstly, I don't know of any webcam or CCTV system that doesn't record, and I can't imagine anyone installing one without it recording. Secondly, a bedroom is where people change clothes. Thirdly, I know how often I engaged in auto sexual activity as a teen, I don't imagine I am unique – in fact I think it is a safe assumption that any pubescent/post-pubescent person would engage in such activity in the "privacy" of their bedroom. Consequently, any parent who installs cameras in their teens bedroom is likely going to be in possession of a video recording of a minor engaged in what the law defines as a lewd act, which is child pornography. If a computer with these files ends up at Apple's Genius Bar or Best Buy's Geek Squad, or similar, the parents are going to find out exactly how punitive we as a society can be.
You don't know of ANY camera that doesn't record?? I have news for you NO camera records unless you actually want it to. There are a plethora of wireless CCTV cameras that don't record and view only in real time. They have to be physically attached to a recording device and then SET to record either automatically or manually. I have a number set up in my garden with which I view wildlife as I am disabled. None of them record as if I wanted to watch recordings of wildlife then I'll turn on the TV!
then what's the point in having the camera, you can just walk into the room and see what their doing, and i think it's still child pornography if your viewing the camera while a child is changing, and if it doesn't record there will be no evidence in court that you weren't viewing it while a child is changing so you could prob still be punished
I love the way this comment was wrote as it stated everything I feel as I now have a camera in my room. About 5 months ago, I was hacked randomly with no reasonable explanation by a person who then found out my address and what I do on my console and what so on. He didn't publish anything on me to expose me as he was a random dude that randomly decided to hack me for no reason. Even before this I used to cover up my phone cam with my finger as i am interested in the deep web and all the hackerish bits there is out there and I know how easy it is to get hacked. (Havent been there by the way, like I said the hack was random) I now feel insecure and check out ways to feel safe in my own room. My parents decided to put a camera in my room because I apparently dont sleep (lie) and now I dont even feel safe in my own room. My parents could care less on what I do to ”negotiate” with them as they say that this is their house meaning they can do whatever they want. I've argued, taped up the lenses and even took the camera down and instead of having a heart to heart conversation, I get beat or punished. I would like to ask on what i should l do, as a 15 year old, who doesn't feel comfortable in his own room?
If you attend a public school you should talk to the guidance counsellor or equivalent about the abuse you've received at the hands of your parents.
Not exactly abuse.. yeah I do receives bruises once in a while but I dont think I've started bleeding. Anyways that's not what I was talking about, I was asking for advice on what I should do.. you got anything you can think of..?
If your parent lays their hand on you, that's abuse. You don't have to ”bleed” for it to be abuse. If you are getting ”beat”, that's abuse.
Also, spying on you in a private area of the house is just flat out gross. If the camera is recording, that can be considered producing child pornography if you change clothes in your bedroom.
Your own home, because parents have the right to protect you and their home.
Behave better they will remove it , they just want to see you succeed in life parents won't hate their kids
The system I use, Doesn't allow recording unless you pay for the premium version, which I refuse to pay for. IT keeps it 100 percent legal.
Hello Ben, generally speaking, there is no specific law addressing the fake camera usage at your home. However, it is best to avoid setting up dummy cameras in intimate areas like bathrooms. You'd better consult a local attorney for more info. Hope this helps.
Ask them if they think it's reasonable to put a camera in their room as you are concerned about their mental state. Put some tape over the lens and put a lock on your door. If they ask why the lock. Just say you don't feel safe sleeping with mental defectives in the same house
In this case you will need to own your own home.
the person is 18 that violates privacy laws, unlike minors adults are protected by those laws, doesn't matter if you own the house. if you record someone 18+ without their consent that's a crime.
I think it should be a crime for kids too but, kids have no rights, unless they're physically abused or neglected no-one gives a crap about them.
Hi Adrian, sorry to hear about your experience. It is best to take some photos of the camera in your bedroom as evidence and talk to your father first. If this won't help, you'd better consult a local attorney for help.
Is it legal for a father to place a camera in 16 yr old daughters room? Claims its for listening purposes only. She changes and does personal things directly in front of bookcase he placed it. She reported it to doctor. Thank you.
My husband placed camera in 17yr old daughters room a year ago. She changes, walks around doing teenager things. Claims for listening purposes only. Not likely. She reported it to doctor. Is this punishable in North Dakota? Specifically for high level military members? Any advice greatly appreciated. Awful situation. Thank you, Lisa
Hello Lisa, it would be illegal to place an security camera at any intimate places like bedroom and bathroom. You may check the local video surveillance law or contact local attorney for more information. Hope this helps.
Change inside the bathroom or closet instead, the parents are there to protect and make sure you're doing the right thing. Don't older kids make you tune against your parents unless they install it to do illegal stuff
Well a bedroom is technically a changing room...a place where privacy is expected, my bedroom is where i am dressing/undressing and i'm a minor, a camera in my bedroom is illegal. You even said. you came put a camera in a changing room, a bedroom is another word for a changing room it is just used for sleeping as well
Hi there. Do you mean your parents installed a camera in your room? Then I suggest you talk with them about that and find out why they do that. Let them know how much you're disturbed by the camera and you didn't do anything wrong.
Hi, I'm a 14 yr old boy and this is kind of answered already but my mum put a camera in my study room, not my bedroom to see if I'm playing games or not even though I hardly ever do. What do I do? My mum won't listen to me in the slightest, I've tried to persuade her with all the options above.
Hi, Jiang. Sorry for your experience. Maybe you could share with your mom some authoritative articles about the importance of building trust between parents and kids. Or you could try to make a deal or something with your mum, for example, you do what she asks and she needs to stop monitoring your study room. Hope that helps.
I have a 46 y.o. son with Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation (mentally evaluated to be around the age of 6), and Multiple Seizure Disorders. Is it legal to install a NON RECORDING camera system in his bedroom to monitor his safety? He uses his bathroom to change, so is NOT monitored there.
Hi, there. I feel so sorry to hear that. And yes, it is legal.
I have a 13 yr old son who lives with my mother at the moment and we have been having major problems with him being drained and sleeping at school and we are starting to worry about underlying health issues or maybe sleep walking that we don't know about or something going on that's interfering with his sleep at night. I am considering installing a temporary surveillance camera in his room for us to monitor his sleep at night and see if something is happening that we need to address and have him seen by a doctor or psychiatrist. I am up and down about the matter because he is 13 and he needs his privacy and I personally don't want to end up tuning in to check on him at the wrong time. However his sleeping habits and his health is a major concern right now. Would this be considered wrong or illegal if I were to install one as long as he is aware of it? I just don't wanna overstep boundaries or risk doing anything illegal. Please, any advice right now would help tremendously.
My other half who is trans male to female just got caught taking lube from her mom and dad's room for her to use (she has asked over and over for her own and don't get it for her). Now her mom is talking about putting cams in her room and bathroom... She is also 18 years old and stays in a room with her younger brother. and they share a bathroom as well... they also live in dubai at this time (from the USA, there on visa's). Is there anything she can do about this... She tried talking to her already and her mom told her to shut the f up or she is going to get in worse trouble. She is also looking for way out since she got denied for a year visa and her mom signed her up for a 30 day visa while they are looking for a way to keep her there longer...
Hi, I'm a 16 year old female and I have a camera facing into my bedroom. At home I'm. Not allowed to close my door EVER and I am not allowed to touch the camera in any way. My dad put the camera up about 2-3 years ago after my older sister ran away for the 23nd time and said that it was for our safety. I completely understand why they would put up the cameras for that reason but now, I am constantly paranoid of it. This camera is one of those where it records when it sences movement. I have snuck into my mother's computer one day and saw how the system works and there's options for viewing live and taking pictures. I have tried to negotiate with my parents about it and they (just my mother) won't listen. I know for a fact that the camera has recorded me naked in one way or another. Given other reasons factoring into my concerns, I am looking into legal action have it be going into foster care again or emancipation. I am looking for thoughts, opinions, and advice for this. I am desperate and need to find a way out.