Zoom Meetings: Camera On vs. Off

Camera On: Fostering Connection

The more video Zoom meetings we have, the more having your camera on becomes expected.

By now, we’ve all experienced what it feels like to enter a meeting with our cameras off, only to be greeted by a sea of faces. Most of us turn our cameras on in response. It’s an understandable change.

Many people consider “camera on” the polite thing to do. After all, others can’t see your expressions and other nonverbal cues if your camera is off.

Some people find it especially rude to keep your camera off when others have theirs on. This lack of reciprocation can breed distrust.

From a management perspective, asking for cameras on vs. Off may keep team members from multitasking in zoom meetings. While requiring adults to be on camera is a big ask, many companies encourage it.

Finally, some might argue that right now is the most critical time in the history of virtual meetings to keep cameras on.

Communication and visibility are more important than ever in coping with social distancing.

Camera Off: Respecting Boundaries

Being on camera is a considerable contributor to virtual meeting fatigue.