[digimom]

Hello Everyone,

My daughter has received a Macintosh computer for school. Brand new, but I don't know exactly which one. I believe it is either a 12 inch or 14 inch. My computer is a Dell 15.5" and hers is a little smaller than mine.

Anyway, they have a built in camera/video camera and a couple of parents and I are concerned with video/pics and video chat rooms that the kids could use with this technology.

My question is - Is there a way for either the school or myself as a parent to "disconnect" this camera from being used. I don't think the school realized the implications of this technology and the kids' unlimited access to the internet at home (that's another story).

I would like to know what I can do before bringing this to the attention to the administration along with the unlimited access to internet...

Thanks,
Karen
DigiMom

[VegasACF]

The camera is not on until it is turned on. Until that point it is merely a piece of unused technology.

Beyond that, you can trash whatever applications (iChat, Skype, Photo Booth, etc.) that might use it, and check your daughter's computer for such applications from time to time, or you can trust that you "raised her right" and that she will not go against whatever your wishes are expressed to be.

Some remote classroom activities may require the use of such technology, however, so I would be hesitant to take drastic actions that may prove costly to repair.