Can people watch you from your iPhones camera?

For such a long time I've been covering my iPod/iPhones camera as I always feel like someone is watching me. I'm feeling extremely paranoid (and a little crazy lol) especially because I've encountered weird people on Kik (a messaging app) and I've clicked on links I've probably shouldn't have by accident.
So can people actually watch you from your devices camera?

I don't think anybody is sitting there to watch millions of smartphone users through their phone's camera. Why will do this? And if anybody is able to do that, he/she has to install an app in your phone.

Uh no.

I don't think anyone cat watch you but since you are paranoid… Just put a piece of tape over they camera lens on the front of the phone. An ex cell phone service tech told me this… Also… It is illegal to watch someone without their knowledge but you would never know.

There has indeed been a lot of rumours that the NSA spies on your phone calls and camera and web browsing but it was very recently that Obama had made it clear that they will need court permission in order to spy on people in that level. So unless you've been in court and the judge has given the NSA authorization, you don't have much to worry about and apple products are very secured so there shouldn't be any hackers roaming.