4:41pm Saturday 6th February 2010
By Claire Maxwell
Its popularity is growing in steady proportion to the freaked-out nature of parents spreading across the world.
Last year it was omegle.com. A chatroom that puts you in touch with a random stranger somewhere in the world whom you can wag-chins-with for as long as you feel necessary. Until you press 'next' and it’s goodbye forever.
Now, though, they've added webcams.
This could be seen as a positive or a negative. Of course it thoroughly encourages those members of the population who enjoy typing the phrase 'GET YO TITS OUT', however it also gives the chance for the 'normal people' of the world to know whether or not they are talking to a naked 50 year old man. This, I feel, can only be a plus.
The idea of the website it one that immediately brings dread and terror to the minds of all parents. However, I do believe that this is wholly due to the scare mongering of the media, those minute few who are insane enough to arrange a blind date with a stranger they have met on the internet, and the fact that they simply haven’t been on it.
Let me tell you now, the people that are possibly 'unsuitable' to talk to become apparent as soon as their webcam comes into focus on your screen. Nudity, for example, is a sure giveaway. Also, old men (you have to wonder what they are doing on a chatroom at 1 o clock in the afternoon if not looking for pretty girls to stalk). People that have put a fake video of some form of animal pornography or a dead person lying in a bath are also ones to steer clear of.
These can all be 'nexted' with the click of a button.
However, if you meet someone normal looking, you can take part in a pleasant conversation that will be thoroughly enjoyed by all. Sometimes you meet someone of tremendous comic-value. For example, I once came across a boy dressed as a nun. Just sitting there.
I also made friends with a Romanian boy who had me wetting myself laughing. A rare occurrence to find a foreigner who is funny (British 'funny' anyway) let me tell you.
I like it. It is an excellent way to eradicate your boredom.
However, I will suggest you do not go on chatroulette.com if you are of a nervous disposition or thick.
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