The use of webcam in ECE centres is believed to have potential benefits, however, there are also significant concerns about the risks associated with such use.
This technology is emerging in many ECE centres in UK and US, but has not yet penetrated the New Zealand ECE sector. Centres install webcam to broadcast images from the centre through the internet via a secured website which parents can log into to view their children at the centre.
Webcam in New Zealand
In New Zealand only one centre, Giggles Educare, has been reported to have such a facility.
CareCams, a new company offering a NZ-based programme designed and developed by Contact Technology, is set to introduce this service to ECE centres in the country.
Sometimes parents comment they would like to be a 'fly on the wall' and be able to observe their children while in the centre. This is an opportunity for parents, particularly those who travel a lot, to log-on from wherever they may be and they get to see and observe their children. When they ring home, they can have a conversation with their children about what they saw that day.
Centres can have webcams installed and allow parents to view the cameras from work or home, via a highly secured website. The webcam provider will work closely with the centre to ensure that parents who are logging in have children attending that day before their registration can be completed. Each parent will have a unique login ID and password.
"Parents we have spoken to want this service and most centres we approached are very keen on the idea," said Chris Partridge, Director of CareCams Ltd.
According to her, parents are always looking for the reassurance that their children are happy. Allowing parents to view through the camera reflects the confidence of the centre owner and/or manager in its operations and people.
However, there are significant concerns amidst centre managers and staff that webcams also carry risks. The owner of the Nurture by Nature Early Childhood Education Centre, Judy Kaa, said that there are other ways to involve and reassure parents that are less risky.
"We use ICT in other ways like newspapers, emails, and daily powerpoints which we use to initiate dialogue and seek written parents voices that can be used in our assessment processes" added Judy.
Another one of our members, Jan Taouma, owner of A'oga Fa'a Samoa Inc. agreed saying, "the use of emails to send photos throughout the day I think is more effective. I also feel that parents may rely on the webcam instead of making time to come in to the centre and be a part of centre activities and discussions with teachers."
Managing the risks associated to webcam use
We recommend to centres who wish to explore the use of webcams to carefully consider three things: protecting the rights of children and teachers, seeking consent from all parents, and developing a sound internet policy even before acquiring the service.
The ECE ICT team of the ECE Learning and Curriculum of the Ministry of Education strongly encourages 'centres to think very carefully about the purpose and issues that relate to the use of webcams and the internet with young children'.
Centres should also take into consideration the possible decontextualisation of what is being viewed. Parents and others viewing the centre online may lack the contextual frame to interpret what the children or the teachers are doing.
Richard Beach, Education Sector Manager of Netsafe recommends, "Staff should also be made aware that their actions are being monitored, and published on the internet."
In addition, Beach advises centres "parental consent be obtained before any images or other personal information about children or their families is shared, particularly online" and that "consent would need to be sought from all parents of children at the centre, regardless of whether they used the webcam facility or not."
You should also be aware that children have rights, regardless of their age. When children are not old enough to give consent, we strongly recommend that centres seek a child's assent (expression of approval or agreement). Children may show signs of withdrawing assent through verbal and non-verbal means, eg. fatigue and lack of interest.
The Ministry also pointed out that New Zealand's privacy laws are much more robust than the privacy laws in other countries. Centres should be familiar with these laws and ensure that they are meeting their responsibilities with regard to the law.
Beach further advises that centres and schools should limit the information published online and utlise strong passwords. Since no electronic system is completely secure, protection such as antivirus software, antispyware and a firewall and updated operating system that is fully patched should be in place.
Should your centre have one?
Clearly, with each new technological advance there is potential but also risks. We recommend that you seek feedback from your staff and parents, and conduct your own research about webcams.
Visit NurseryCam for more information about webcam facilities.
You may also want to familiarise yourself with cyber safety. Netsafe - The Security Group is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes cyber education in New Zealand. Visit Netsafe website.