The frenzy to spy on caregivers has heated up since coming into view of the public eye. Gil Neuman, CEO of Kent Security Systems, says people should be most concerned about the process they use to hire a caregiver -- or lack of process. "As people would see those stories on the nightly news, they became more and more worried," he says. "They began to realize that they think they know their help, but they're really not sure. Our company asks people to give us the first name, last name and address of the cleaning people, nannies or babysitters they employ. Regretfully, most do not know."

Resources such as credit agencies, police departments and court records are available for little or no charge when used for verifying employment. Carl Stell, a father and small business owner from Petersburg, Va., says, "I have used the same methods of verifying daycare providers and babysitters as I do when I hire someone to work with me in my repair business. It only takes a phone call and maybe a few bucks, but I would rather know before something happens than wish I would have checked afterward."

Even after verifying someone's background, many parents still want to know what the babysitter is doing when parents are away. Electronic recording devices can be as small as a tie clip or as large as a VCR. Regardless of the size of the device, no one will ever know they are there. "With current technology, we can put cameras into anything," Neuman says. "You'll never know it's a camera. We have put cameras inside grandfather clocks, mirrors, alarm clocks, stereo systems and VCRs. These objects still function normally so no suspicion that a camera is in the device is ever drawn. The mechanism of a camera today is smaller than your thumb. The size of the lens is about the size of a pin. You can look at it straight and never know what it is."

According to Neuman, the issue of control is one reason for the installation of so-called nanny cams. Parents may feel they are not in control of what happens to their children once they leave their side and want to rectify this by whatever means necessary. The use of nanny cams is one way to do this. "I think that people want to feel that they control their own house or their own destiny," Neuman says. "They want to know that nothing is happening that they do not approve of while they are away. When you leave your kids or your property with someone else or in someone else's care, you lose control. But by keeping certain electronic devices to monitor your home or children, you can stay in control."

Not all parents agree with the use of electronic video equipment to monitor caregivers. Some believe there is a moral or ethical issue, or even that the use of nanny cams is an invasion of privacy. Lori McKenzie, a mother and freelance writer from Minneapolis, Minn., says, "If I had good enough reasons to feel a closed circuit camera was necessary then I feel I have enough reason to remove my children from that person's care. I would never seriously consider the use of a camera in order to catch them in the act. I think it would be an invasion of privacy and it is immoral to trick someone so you can catch him or her committing a crime. If I were going to use one, I would tell the babysitter it was there -- I think it's illegal to record someone without their permission anyway."

Companies such as Kent Security Systems address issues of morality and legality. According to Neuman, neither issue holds a candle to risking a child's safety. "Obviously when we talk about morality it all goes down the drain when you see a stranger hit or physically abuse a child," Neuman says. "The whole point of morality is good in public, but it doesn't really stand in private. We also have a moral obligation to stop bad people from doing bad things, for us and other people. If we have a bad apple who is working for us and working for somebody else, we have to get him or her out of the job. Just as you would get a drunken driver off the road, the bad apples of babysitting should be taken out of the homes. Any of these tapes used would stand up in court. It's legal to video record anybody anywhere -- with the exception of bathrooms or changing rooms -- without their knowledge."

According to Neuman, if a parent informs the caregiver that her actions are being recorded and will be viewed later, the caregiver will alter her behavior, allowing the parent to believe he has made a sound hiring decision. "Telling a babysitter you are recording their actions and behaviors is like telling the answers to the test before you give the exam," Neuman says. "We want to see what they really act like in real time, not when we tell them they are auditioning. Parents who have these nanny cams should not tell those who they employ about them. It will alter their behavior and give the parent -- and the children -- a false sense of security."

The use of electronic recording devices has offered parents the peace of mind to know their children are safe. The decision to use them is a very personal one, but Neuman suggests that they are worth the security they provide. "The bottom line is you want to protect the things that are important to you," he says. "And if it's in your home or in your work place, you have the right to do it."