I have a web cam that we used a lot while my youngest son was living in Prague, and then Germany. He was able to take his laptop around and show us their apartment and even the view outside the window. It was great because it was a year and a half before we got to see him in person again.
I was very grateful to use it and skype and stay in touch. I could tell when he had gained weight or lost it and it helped ease the lonesomeness. He recently came back to the states.