Why would you want to chat to random strangers?

There has been an increase in the use of sites which enable complete strangers to chat either anonymously, or via webcam. Many of you will have heard of chatroulette, allegedly used by celebrities (Kate Moss, Paris Hilton, Ashton Kutcher and Justin Bieber have been seen on them, some fakes, some allegedly real) but as the popularity, and notoriety of these sites grow, so has the list of sites providing the service. At last count I found over 30 sites, most of which offer complete anonymity as the user is not required to register any details. Fine as long as you’re happy with your screen shots being shared on random websites across the world...

These sites say they are aimed at the 18+ market, however they do not generally adhere to this, in fact there is a rather famous user of chatroulette who is labelled as “Offensive 8 year old”. One site has a very strict policy on the log in page – “18+, keep it clean, or be reported”. Ok, that’s clear enough, except the site is un-moderated and I haven’t found a way to report yet...

Mashable, the American Internet News website published a story in March 2010, which stated that a mash up of Google Maps had been created which would take a screen grab of chatroulette users, then use their IP address to add their location to chatroulette maps. I’m not sure this is a good way of protecting any younger or vulnerable users, even with an 18+ caveat it seems obvious to me that an 18 year girl experimenting by flashing her boobs on a webcam would be at risk if anyone watching had her address?

There are many people using these sites purely for 5 minutes of showing off to a complete stranger, whether that be their privates, singing a song, or dressing up as Darth Vadar. And I would suggest that most people who use these sites are over 18, open minded and wouldn’t be shocked by what they saw. In fact I have seen a chat room conversation between some University students who use one of these sites as the format for a unique drinking game, they take it in turns to sit at the webcam, and each time a nude person flashes up they down a shot. Inappropriate? Yes. Hilarious entertainment for a room full of 20 year old lads? Definitely.

The downside is that under 18’s ARE using these sites and come into contact with inappropriate sights, and people most parents wouldn’t want their children talking to. What advice would we give to the parents of these kids? Talk to them openly about the risks and follow the usual advice about privacy etc. It’s fine to let young people have computers in their rooms provided parents are confident of their safe internet practice. I would however suggest it may be prudent that you do not let them have an active webcam...

Article by Laura Higgins – Helpline Manager

July 2011