Do You Use Webcams to Keep in Touch With Family?

December 10, 2007

I used to be a little shy about using webcams, but my mac has built-in iSight so I eventually let go of my insecurities and tested it out. Now my webcam helps me keep in touch with friends and family across the country, chat with other tech bloggers, and even check in on my BFF's adorable newborn. Sure, it sometimes feels silly and I wonder if my hair looks clean, but it's so nice to see my aunt's face when I talk to her online.

Even if you don't have a built-in camera, many people have become dependent on webcams like this one from Conof for keeping in contact with their family — particularly during the holidays. Where do you stand on the webcam divide?

29 Comments

4 years 5 days

Very nice site!

geohiker 5 years 22 weeks

I'm not into webcams myself, but definitely if I had kids I would think this was a great idea!

maisiegirl 5 years 23 weeks

Yes, I love iChat. I use it mostly with my sissy, Bizzybee, and it makes us feel like weren't not so far away! True, hanging with each other in person is more fun, but this makes the distance seem less. We have fun with it. Also, my friend, MeowSugar, and I use it to chat when we have time.

AutumnWind 5 years 23 weeks

I webcam everyday with my boyfriend. It's a long distance relationship (temporary) and it's great being able to see him everyday even though we are apart.

leahlarocco 5 years 23 weeks

I wish

leahlarocco 5 years 23 weeks

I wish

FB1977 5 years 23 weeks

I bought a new Creative webcam recently for about $50 and that is what I use to chat and see my boyfriend who is in Korea right now (Army). We used a webcam for the first time when he was in Afghanistan, and I loved it. However, I have yet to use it with anyone else, even while I was living far away in Hawaii, it never occurred to me to use with friends or family.

SummerBaby 5 years 23 weeks

if i had family that lived really far away then yes i would use it, my boyfriend uses it alot to keep in touch with his family i think its a great idea! then you can see everyone! cuz you cant always be with them on special occasions! like Christmas!! he sits on the comp for a few hours on the webcam! and talks to family! :)

SugarKat 5 years 23 weeks

I have one, but my in-laws still haven't set theirs up...I don't know why it's so difficult, but we keep not doing it.

Lovely_1 5 years 23 weeks

While I was in Europe i used them as much as I could with my fmaily when i found them!They were excellent!

Lovely_1 5 years 23 weeks

While I was in Europe i used them as much as I could with my fmaily when i found them! They were excellent!

princessangry 5 years 23 weeks

I haven't got a webcam yet but I was thinking about it! I like the idea of it.

mazhalai 5 years 23 weeks

there should be one more option- use it all the time!! i donno how i would have lived without it

mazhalai 5 years 23 weeks

there should be one more option- use it all the time!!i donno how i would have lived without it

ilanac13 5 years 23 weeks

i did a while back - i got the iSight for my computer and it just didn't work as well as i would have liked

Outatime 5 years 23 weeks

kitkatherine - try using Mercury Messenger. I can't use iChat either, my reason is because I have a router but I use Mercury Messenger fine with other Mac and also PC users.

melda 5 years 23 weeks

I don't like webcam

melda 5 years 23 weeks

I don't like webcam

POPSUGAR Celebrity 5 years 23 weeks

Katie chats with her grandparents all the time on ichat! Love it!

macgirl 5 years 23 weeks

kitkatherine- video chat can be a pain in the bum depending on your network setup. Things like FireWalls, voip routers, routers and your ISP modem can all affect your ability to video chat.

kitkatherine 5 years 23 weeks

i have a macbookpro - so does my boyfriend. over the summer we would try and video chat through ichat - but it never worked. we just audio chatted instead of cell phone talking (its long distance on our home phones, and our cell phones are different networks so during the day... yeah. but it sucked! my video chat on my mac is really wonky.

kitkatherine 5 years 23 weeks

i have a macbookpro - so does my boyfriend. over the summer we would try and video chat through ichat - but it never worked. we just audio chatted instead of cell phone talking (its long distance on our home phones, and our cell phones are different networks so during the day... yeah.but it sucked! my video chat on my mac is really wonky.

MandyJoBo 5 years 23 weeks

I used them a lot. I usually just call my boyfriend with it while he's at work so he can see me whenever he wants. And the cats. :) I also talk to my friends with it.

macgirl 5 years 23 weeks

My husband and I use it if he has to travel without me. It is more personal than just a phone call :-)