Bathrooms have always been known as a place where one can experience the most privacy. Even in public places that have security cameras wall to wall, the bathroom is one place that is off limits. This is not the case in a school by the name of Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, located in Wales (Sinasohn 2009). The school was having complaints that some students were misuing the soap and paper towels in the bathrooms. A security camera was installed near the wash basins to keep an eye on what activity was going on. The school has found that the cameras have made a huge improvement. Students are well aware of the camers are are now on their best behavior. Some parents are upset with the cameras because it is such an invasion for privacy (Sinasohn 2009).
I found this article very interesting. It made me stop and wonder if the cameras in the bathroom was an invasion of privacy. The cameras were not placed within the stalls, just by the sinks. It does not seem to me that the place where one may wash their hands should be more private than any other area within the school. I think it is strange to think that I would be on camera while in the restroom washing my hands, but I think if cameras were installed in public restrooms to help monitor what activity was going on by the sink, I do not think that would really bother me. Normally, there is at least one other individual at the sink while I am washing my hands anyways, so it is not like I need to be alone when I wash my hands. I think it would be completely absurd if they wanted to put cameras within the stalls or in dressing rooms. That is completely an invasion of privacy. However, I do not think putting cameras by the sink would be anymore absurd than putting cameras by the water fountains located outside the restroom doors.
Reference:
Sinasohn, R. 2009, February 3. Bathroom cameras a good thing, says school. Retrieved February 4, 2009, from http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/03/bathroom-cameras-a-good-thing-says-school/.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I don't know how I would have felt about this, I just think about the main reasons I go to the bathroom, for privacy. I guess it makes you wonder if they put them by the sinks, how much longer will it be until the think the stalls are being misused. I really feel like the bathroom should be the place where you know that no one is watching you, or where you feel comfortable. I know that the camera's are only by the sink but it still freaks me out. (I'm a little paranoid I would think there was a small camera by my stall).
ReplyDelete