New research from body-worn camera supplier, Halos, suggests nearly one in three (29%) young adults aged 18–24 in the UK say they feel uncomfortable when retail or security staff wear body-worn cameras.
Despite having grown up in a world of constant digital sharing, the YouGov survey of over 2,200 Brits also found that more than a quarter (26%) of those aged 25–34 feel uneasy in the presence of body-worn cameras – the second highest level across all age groups.
By contrast, just 17% of those aged 55 and over say the same.
The findings reveal a clear, but surprising generational divide - that those most fluent in online sharing are also the most unsettled by being filmed in real life by frontline workers.
However, Halos says this discomfort doesn’t mean disengagement. Its research shows younger people are also the most likely to change how they behave when they know they’re being filmed. 65% of 18-24-year-olds, and over half (55%) of 25-34-year-olds, say they’d think twice about their actions if they knew staff in a given setting were wearing cameras.
The research also suggests the visibility of body-worn cameras matters. In everyday settings like shops, younger generations are particularly aware of cameras worn by staff and more likely to respond to their presence.
Commenting on the findings, Alan Ring, CEO of Halos, said: “We’re seeing a new kind of social contract emerge in public spaces. Younger generations are used to being seen, having grown up on camera and used to documenting their daily lives. But being watched - especially in a way they can’t control - is something else entirely.
“Body-worn cameras are no longer just about deterrence or collecting evidence. They’re actively shaping social norms. If handled with care and transparency, they can protect staff, influence conduct and foster accountability.”
To find out more about the survey, click here.
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