Now is the time of social media. At any given time you can watch someones foursquare to see where they're checking in, look at their facebook page to see what they're doing at each venue, read their tweets, and look at their photos on flickr. It's fun to see what your friends and family are up to, but when hiring a nanny or babysitter you should be concerned with what they're posting and where in order to ensure the safety of your children.
It's nice for you to see where your children are and what they're doing, but on public sites, that could mean a lot of other people can see what they're up to also. I am a huge proponent of the nanny being in contact with the parents throughout the day. But when it comes to social media, I urge you to think about what you want publicized and what you don't and then discuss it with your nanny. I've seen babysitters and nannies post photos online of the kids they're watching. Some do it with the permission of the parents, but most don't.
Confidentiality is important in a working environment that's as personal as a nanny, especially if the parents are in the public eye. One thing that I tell a lot of parents is that they may feel like they're stating the obvious, but not everyone thinks the same. It's better to have rules and policies laid out for the caregiver than have to set rules as you go.
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