Who is watching the children? The use of video camera in Infant Schools

Abstract

The article presents the results of a research project which had as its focus the question of surveillance as a way of controlling social subjects. Based on empirical data from excerpts of transcriptions of informal interviews performed with parents, teachers and principals from private infant schools of Porto Alegre, it is intended to present different opinions from some of the socialactors involved in the discussion of this procedure: the control upon each one’s individuality. Thestudies of Zygmunt Bauman and Manuel Castells have been the principal theoretical support; we also draw on the contributions from Jurandir Freire da Costa about ethics and values. The main goal is to understand the advance of technological changes in the contemporary scenery of multiple disorders in our society in the beginning of this century, which allows room to resortto the use of this kind of sensor in schools, particularly in those directed to the infantile public. It has been concluded that the referred procedure is a source of great controversy.

Key words: educação infantil, videocâmeras, escolas.