Hidden Cameras or out in the open?

Once you've made your choice, you need to decide how to go about it. It might actually be better to put any surveillance system out in the open. It depends heavily on what the point of the system is. Does your kid have a problem with drugs or alcohol? A camera system probably won't stop that, but it could keep it out of your house. And for that goal, it works better if your child actually knows about it. Something like this is probably better used as a consequence for misbehaviour, not as a hidden way to uncover it. Using drugs in your house poses serious risks to your property - the government can seize it and take it away from you. If, after you have caught your child doing something of that nature, you immediately install cameras out in the open, it is much more credible as a punishment, and there is really no basis for your child to object. The likely consequence is going to be that your child just goes elsewhere to do whatever activities you're worried about - but it will keep it out of your house. A hidden camera is much more likely to actually catch be behaviour on tape. But remember that if you don't have a real basis for doing this, you could permanently damage your relationship with your child. This is a serious and drastic step to take as a parent. Some kids need shocks like this - if they're well down the road towards an unacceptable lifestyle, some parents end up being forced to use radical measures. But remember that the vast majority of kids should never be subjected to something like this. If you're not dead certain, it's best just to stay away from the whole idea.