You know those discoveries you make, that you wish you hadn’t? Where you want to go back in time to the place of innocence, before you knew what you now know? I made one last night. And I just can’t shake it.
This world of social media is a strange one. I’ve been blogging for two years. Two years of sharing the details of my life with virtual strangers across the globe. Two years of sharing photographs, stories and experiences. Two years of spilling my soul. Through Google Analytics and a basic understanding of humanity, I wasn’t naive enough to think that every single visitor was a fellow parent with values aligned to mine. But, it was easy to pretend. The over-sharing never really bothered me, and I felt enough distance from the creeps on the other end of the computer to be comfortable. Before.
My brother shared a site called ChatRoulette on Facebook, and I checked it out. It’s a a new website that connects you face-to-face, via web-cam, to random people all over the world. It’s voyeurism at its best– live, countless, free web-cams, just a click away. And it’s growing, rapidly. In December there were 300 users, mostly friends of the 17-year-old high school student in Moscow who created it. Last night? 37,000 were logged in. At once.
Strangers stare at you for a moment, deciding if they want to click next, to find someone more appealing than you, or invest a minute or two of their precious time on you. It’s a total flashback to junior high school– will the cool kids accept you? Will you be met with laughter and mocking or acceptance? Will someone take the time to get to know you, or judge you in half a second and walk away? More often than not, it’s the latter.
During my few minutes of exploration, I came across a group of sorority looking girls who scoffed at the schlumpy looking mom on the other end of the computer. Pre-partiers drinking and dressed to the nines. Groups of teenage boys with only one hand visible and hopeful looks on their faces. An older man who I swear I saw on America’s Most Wanted a decade ago. More than a few body parts and many Mardi Gras type requests as well. But, by far, the most disturbing were the children, yes, children, I saw.
Intriguing as this site may be, as a parent, I am disgusted. I am horrified. It’s not about building relationships, like we do here. It’s building disaster. How long before someone runs into the prick who blew him off on the site and retaliates? Or the person he shared too intimate details with? How easy it would be to record all of the encounters and post them for the world to see. Sex and violence will reign free as the site continues to grow. And the kids? I shudder to think of the connections they could be making. Can you imagine what they could stumble across? It’s a Law & Order SVU in the making. A juicy one.
If you have kids who have access to computers, talk to them. If they haven’t discovered the site, their friends may have, and we all know how quickly things spread in this virtual world of ours. And this one? Is nothing but trouble.
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{ 142 comments… read them below or add one }
Yikes. I do not like this AT ALL.
Melisa´s last blog ..What Would YOU Do With a $500 Visa Gift Card?
Hi! I was wondering, did you forward this to your local new station? I would. Just sayin. This is creepy and scary. If it were for adults only, then I wouldn’t suggest it, but since children and teens are involved, it might be an idea. P.S. I LOVE your blog!!
I just did send them a tweet. The New York Times did a piece last week, but that’s it. I’m so surprised there has been so little media coverage.
I just sent an e-mail to Channel 7 here in Chicago and copied you on it, Jill.
Melisa´s last blog ..What Would YOU Do With a $500 Visa Gift Card?
I am beyond horrified at your discovery. The implications are awful. I can’t imagine what you might find on the other side of your computer. I’ll stick to my scheduled friend chats on Skype and pray the site doesn’t find a bigger audience.
JenniferG´s last blog ..Personal Branding IS Important. Yeah, Even For You.
Wow… As a mom to a 13-year-old and curious 7-year-old (and still oblivious 3yr old thank goodness) I’m very uncomfortable with the idea of that site for a variety of reasons. I’m grateful for two things right now: That we don’t own a webcam, and that there are no child-accessible computers outside of the one in a main part of the house. It’s much easier to keep an eye on what they’re doing if you can easily see the screen. The ‘computer in the bedroom’ thing? That’s where a lot of parents go wrong. They mean well when they give Junior a laptop for the bedroom desk, but do we really want kids seeing the multitude of confusing and possibly scary things with no parental supervision and possible intervention? Sites like ChatRoulette will always exist, so we need to be proactive.
The Maven´s last blog ..Five Things I’m Grateful For (Other than my Awesomeness)
Oh man!! That is scary. As a Mother of 3, one 14 yr old girl, this bothers me. It just should not be allowed. Period! Kids don’t understand how many bad people there are out there and they sure as heck don’t want us telling them about it! I will be making sure that’s blocked on our computer!
Nina´s last blog ..The MOST Embarrassing Mommy Moment Ever!
I read that this site was created by a 17 year old in Russia. I can see why it’s popular, and why it’s dangerous. My kids are so young, I can’t even imagine what “socialize” means for them. I’m a bit terrified.
That is just freaky. Too freaky. EW!
You’re brave, woman!
Sarah´s last blog ..This is my life: Food Before Blog
Ughhh…. {{{shudder}}} It’s horrible that such a good thing can be used so badly. Sick. Okay I’ve got to stop shuddering and figure out a way to block this. But, sadly enough, if not this, then I’m sure there’s something similar. Blah.
Thanks for the head’s up.
Lori´s last blog ..Yesterday
ew…ew…ew….This is NOT an okay site you found. At the very very LEAST it should only avail to the 18 and over crowd. I smell way to many perverts. And If “sexting” made the news I can’t even imagine what goes on on that website.
I was shocked that there isn’t even a warning button to enter. And the minimum age is 16, but it should be 18. Not that having the age there does anything, anyway. Sigh.
Lori took the words out of my mouth – if it’s not this, there’s bound to be something else…and something else after that. The bottom line is as parents, we need to be “in the know” about this kind of stuff and raise awareness…just as you did.
Thanks for sharing, I had no idea this site existed – this is the kind of crap that really freaks me out. Makes me wonder what will be available by the time my kids are teendagers.
It’s a terrifying thought, to imagine what will be around in a decade.
That’s my fear – what will be around when my kids (4 and 2 now) are teens. The cyber sex and cyber bullying – we never had to deal w/ that in the 80′s…I’m going to have to move them to Guam. With no internet access.
Sacry. My kids are still little and I worry about what next, what will be around when they are old enough to use the computer.
God, that’s creepy to me that grown-ups visit a site like that! Thank you for cementing my decision to have one shared computer in a common area in my home!!!
Rachel´s last blog ..So, It’s A Little Late And It’s Only One And It’s Not Wednesday, But Here You Go: RED
Sites like this are the reason why our computer is in a “public” space. My children do not have computers in their room and never will. If they have something “private” that they want to say to a friend, they can pick up the phone and call.
Kat´s last blog ..A Time of Pride and Tears
I am still shocked at what you just shared (but I’m VERY glad you did). As the mom of 2 teenagers, I was completely unaware of this on Facebook. I don’t think they can possibly comprehend the hidden dangers that lurk within site like this. I thought by making them “friend” me, I could keep close enough tabs on what was going on in their cyberworlds. Looks like I’m going to have to figure out a new strategy.
Thanks for pointing this out, it takes more than a village, it takes a cyber village in this world of ever-changing technology.
Denise´s last blog ..This Just Rubs Me The Wrong Way
I love my online community but it scares me to think about how it will be for me kids…when they are ready…yikes!
Stopping by from SITS – Have a great day!
darcie´s last blog ..Epcot – Day 6
Oh. Shudder. There are so many opportunities to see the ugly side of humans, it seems a shame to create even more! Maybe this is the logical outcome of our obsession with reality tv – we’re fascinated with troglodytes and miscreants and have forgotten that media is supposed to entertain, educate or let us escape from such things.
Sally´s last blog ..A Finish, and a Giveaway!
sometimes I just want to curl up in a ball (with my children UNDER me) and stay there.
Thank you, Jill. We DO need to know about this.
Heather of the EO´s last blog ..Kisses and an interview (not at the same time)
That’s exactly how I feel. What’s wrong with living in a bubble, anyway?
That is one of those things that makes me realize I’m going to be a mean strict mom and password protect the computer and keep it in a public area. Because I doubt these kids had permission to do it but I remember the kind of stuff we’d do when parents weren’t looking.
Jensational´s last blog ..Today is my birthday
great post. what a terrifying and horrible website, and, yes, an episode of SVU is exactly where my mind went to, too. thanks for informing me and take care.
Thank you for this. I have a seven year old with a computer that I monitor very well, but she is always looking for new sites and sometimes she tries to find sites to chat on without my knowledge and I will be making sure there is a parental block on this one. This is bad news that I will avoid and ensure she avoids as well! I appreciate the warning and share your concerns as a parent and a human being…the virtual world in general is going to far I think, taking us all back to a place of judgment and feeling as if we are not good enough. We have gotten past those years where we had to try to “fit it” the virtual world tries hard to bring it back. Only by banding together will we be able to shut sites like this down (not literally) but by avoiding them.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention! The implications of that are horrifying. My daughter’s too young to be on the computer, but it definitely scares me for what will be out there when she does reach that age. Despite the fact that my husband is a computer engineer and keeps up with current technology, our computer too will be kept in a public place in the house with all kinds of parental controls on it! In the mean time, I’ll be working on a way to LoJack her….or at least devise a way to never let her out of my sight. Poor kid….. :)
Just a warning from a college student’s perspective-
I don’t get on that site. However, we did talk about it at dinner a few nights ago. My friends who have gotten on it said 1 in about every 10 people they were linked up with only had.. err.. one body part visible. Just staring right at you.
DON’T LET YOUR KIDS ANYWHERE NEAR THIS SITE!
I’ve never heard of ChatRoulette – thanks for the heads up on this one!
Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..The hazards of dress up
Yikes!!! My daughter is 10 now and I’m going to have to really watch what she’s doing on her computer. Thanks for the eye opener. Sad what the world is turning into isn’t it?
:(
Thanks for the post. Great information.
Laura @ MsWonka.com´s last blog ..Funny Friday – Horse’s Rear End Chocolate
I’ll be the first to say that I love social media. In fact, it’s an integral part of my life, being a blogger (and, okay, a bit of a techno-geek). But the stuff that it enables us to do really IS scary, and sometimes unsafe. Like when my youngest son was born five months ago and I tweeted a photo of him from the hospital – which, unbeknownst to me until someone pointed it out, also contained the EXACT LOCATION OF THE HOSPITAL. You’d better believe I retracted that tweet faster than … well, I can’t think of anything witty, but you get the picture. Since then, I’ve been extra careful of what programs I use to share my information!
What really scares me is what’s going to be out there by the time my boys – ages four, two, and five months – are ready to stick their feet in the social media pool. *shudder*
Yikes. Important post indeed.
And people thought the 60s were oversexualized.
Ann’s Rants´s last blog ..Medicine MANIA!
This needs to be on the news. You’re right, commenters, if not this, then something else. So parents need to know about it. And warn their kids.
After the stats I’ve heard about the amount of child p*rn being trafficked in my state alone, this seems it will be yet one more tool for the pervs. And one more way to exploit the innocent.
I just recently heard of this also, and I am equally disgusted. And, I though the same ting Law & Order SVU in the making.
I am taking my kids and moving to a cabin in the woods.
:)
Brittany´s last blog ..Crazy awesome.
I would like to join the “let’s keep our children and ourselves in a perfectly, protective bubble thank you” club. This site is so absolutely disturbing, I don’t even know how to properly react to it. I’m thankful my kids are so young right now that I don’t necessarily have to deal with it, yet fear for those young people who might think this is the best thing ever. SO so wrong.
Thanks much! Am blocking it on all computers in the house right now!!!
PattiH´s last blog ..This May Be Our Last Hope
OMG that is just insane. And scary. Very scary.
Sara @TomTheGirl´s last blog ..
OMG I just saw this post via a RT on twitter. I have been real weary of sharing my name or pics on my blog because I am so paranoid of the creepers out there. You just never know. But that website is outrageous. so scary to think kids have access to that. The internet is such an interesting place. On one hand I absolutely love and amazed by it. But then the other hand it totally freaks me out.
Thanks so much for sharing this.
This Mama Works It!´s last blog ..Living a Debt Free Life: Let Me Envision What That Will Look Like For My Family
I feel a lot like my parents must have felt when they first realized they’d better learn about the types of drugs out there if there was any hope they could protect their kids. This, though? It’s right in our homes, if we’re not careful.
Like I tweeted to you last night. Ew. Ick. and then some.
patois´s last blog ..The Weekly Wonderings #143
This is just gross! The only thing thusfar that really freaked me out was pervs watching moms on video monitors. This falls into the same total nausea camp. The wring that could be done by a site like this is enormous!
And it sucks because the wonderful community we have all found online is not always so wonderful with all the inappropriate people out there on the web willing totalk to our kids, who don’t always make the right choices.
Thanks so much for sharing. I will add to list of terrifying things!
Brittany at Mommy Words´s last blog ..Say Cheese Babe!
At the risk of being flamed, I’m not sure I really see the horror here. It’s no different than any other chat program, that’s been around for years and years. And truly, if a child is already on Facebook they’re already out there in Social Media, exposed and vulnerable. I understand that some people are going to misuse this program, but they can misuse ANY program. And as someone who investigated child abuse and sex crimes in my former life, I’m not at all naive to the dangers out there…..I think children are at far more risk in so many other arenas than video chat programs. Arenas that so many parents don’t even give a second thought to. As long as a parent is supervising and monitoring computer use, installing security software, and not buying their 6 year old a Smart Phone (for crying out loud!!!) I really don’t think they need to worry about this sort of thing. Worry more about other, more tangible threats your kids come in contact with every day. In my years of investigating, most abuse was perpetrated by someone the child knew. The scary stranger in the bushes isn’t really as prevalent as the media makes it seem.
Tiffany´s last blog ..Do It Like They Do On The Discovery Channel
Really? This one scares me so much more than Facebook or any other social media application. The fact that young kids are one click away from strange men jerking off? That they can openly communicate with each other and see everything the web-cam captures? It’s bringing the virtual world so much closer than they should be.
Eh, I dunno. I feel you, I do. But then I remember in Middle School, and we had to walk the track during PE. The back side of the track was next to some woods, and every once in awhile there was some guy in a long coat, jerking off for us. So I think kids are exposed to just as much crap IRL. We’re just “used to” those threats. Or the freaks on public transit. Or the racy stuff on television these days. I just think this is one threat parents can actually control. What’s out in the world? Not so much. So I tend to worry about the things I can’t as easily control. This? I can block the site or have our computers in a public location in our home, so it’s not a threat.
Tiffany´s last blog ..Do It Like They Do On The Discovery Channel
Thanks for sharing. Just another reason to be actively involved with my child’s life and talk to her about what’s online and what’s acceptable and what’s not. I think educating our children is much more important than out right banning things.
Exactly. I just visited the site, and yea, I saw some skeevy things. But that’s why it’s important to educate and SUPERVISE. I don’t think people realize just how many video chat programs like this are out there…..even ones designed specifically for sexual use, with nothing more than a “click here if you’re over age”. This is not the first, nor last, program of its kind.
Tiffany´s last blog ..Do It Like They Do On The Discovery Channel
I’m not a parent but this site sounds like a big problem- anyone can access anyone else with the touch of a button. YIKES!
Bethany´s last blog ..Celebrating the Chinese New Year
uhg.
MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Flashback Friday – The Family Reseblence Edition.
I just found the site a few days ago, and while I KNEW it was something I’d never do, I didn’t think far enough to my girls and other kids.
I am horrified.
my niece is 12 and is always on the pc..she asks the minute she walks in the door sometimes. She was going to a disney site that u can trade stuff and buy souvieners like being at disney….some one was giving her all kinds of “gifts” . who knows if it is another kid on the other end of this game. These kids are not as wise as we were …..they have different ideas.I went out to play and we were told of strangers and the guy or clown in the white van to watch out for , and to stick in groups, but when you are in the safety and comfort of your own home you let your guard down , parents really need to check on what their kids are up too. The world is just a little bit scarier with modern technology and kids who know more about the pc than the parents. THANK YOU JESUS That people like you find these sites and let others know about them…..
Scary! What is the site rated? Does filtering software work on it. We have found the filtering software we use for our kids isn’t that great. It either blocks almost everything or almost nothing.
Yes, I could see that ending up as a total train wreck. Hopefully my kids are too smart to participate in this, but I will definitely be monitoring them and I just won NetNanny from @TroyPattee so that will come in handy. With all the fuss about Sexting on cell phones, I don’t know why they can’t crack down on icky sites like this too.
adrianscrazylife´s last blog ..Emptying the "Empty Nest"
Wait Im confused!! So if i go to that site, does this mean that anybody will be able to see me through my web cam?? Im petrified! I am afraid to click on the link!! Will it automatically sync up to my web cam? Please explain further how the site works for those of us who are too chicken to check it out! Those pictures are frightening!!!
I literally just put a PEOPLE SUCK sticker over my lens!!
Hollywood Farm´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Kurt Cobain 2/ 20/ 67
You go to the site and click on a “connect” button. Then, you see the two screens– you on the bottom and a stranger on top.
Stopping by from Sits and Im glad I did. This is just one more reason parents should be monitoring what their children are doing. Thanks for the heads up!
The internet is rapidly growing as we speak. Some growth good…and some bad. It’s a scary world – in real life and virtual.
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
Stesha´s last blog ..25 Years Later…
I’ve given this site to my husband. Agents in his office are part of the national predator investigations group. This site is ripe for the evil that lurks out there. I’ve blocked it and have sent a link for this post to my son’s high school. It’s rather disturbing how quickly an idea that seems novel can turn nasty.
Lara DiPaola´s last blog ..NEVER mess February.. TRUST ME!
Thank you very much for sharing this. Lile hollywood farm, I am wondering how it works? I am afraid to visit?
This is the scariest concept yet. Especially for children. I think this domain needs to be blocked in my firewall. Just in case…
Hockeymandad´s last blog ..Somebody Pinch Me
So just talked at length w/the hubby about this. IF it makes anyone feel any better cops ARE watching this site. Then again though, like Tiffany said, there are more of these out there. The thing with this one is the user can “roulette” through until they find what they are looking for.. THAT thought alone is the scary part for me.
Lara DiPaola´s last blog ..NEVER mess February.. TRUST ME!
Hi, thanks for this post, it is indeed creepy and a total disaster waiting to happen. Somebody need to put a stop somehow, thanks God my son is only 3 years old but I can’t imagine the kind of internet world he’ll be facing in the future if we let this kind of craps goes on and on. Where I live now, there’s been some reports on teenage girls either being kidnapped or ran away (they’re still investigating it) from Facebook, they met some guys online, fell in love then boom, these 13, 14 years old girls disappeared. Crazy as it sounds and sadly I might add, parents awareness of these creepy hidden predators online here are very minimum.
Maureen´s last blog ..Mijn Oma
That sounds awful! Children as in elementary aged? I know that my parents did NOT know what I did on the internet when I was living in their house (chat rooms and stuff like that), but do know that I WILL know what my kids are doing online. It scares me to think about what they could get into.
S Club Mama´s last blog ..picnik
i’m going to have to make sure my step daughter doesn’t get into that!! thanks for the warning.
melissa´s last blog ..My Son, His Dad And Nightmares Released
Sometimes technology is NOT a good thing! This really bothers me.
Suzicate´s last blog ..I Prefer Blizzards From Dairy Queen
oh hun… it’s this kind of stuff that scares the ever living crap out of me. but i’m so glad you are posting about it and putting it out there.
the flip side of this… is, that if it were me, i would unfortunately find myself checking computers in my house to make sure my kids weren’t scoping out the site… because, now you know.
ew ew ew…
nic @mybottlesup´s last blog ..thank you, maggie
I’m with Tiffany on this. Yes, it’s skeevy and yes, children can come across nasty stuff, but they can come across skeevy nasty stuff on the school bus heading home. Internet supervision is important for children and I’ve always seen the (mental, since I’m not a mother, yet) need for a public family computer and education of children of the proper social media uses on the computer. While there are absolutely cases where children aren’t using computers in a public space or are purposefully trying to see skeevy stuff, there is a way to prevent ChatRoutlette from becoming a predatory being in your household.
You know, on the one hand – that commenters who don’t think it’s that big of a deal have it right. I mean, we should be aware if our kids are on Facebook, what they’re doing, etc…But, try as we may to know everything our kids do, we just don’t – can’t. And that leaves them vulnerable – to stupid applications like this.
I’d heard about this site and not really paid much attention. But now that I’ve read your post and know all about it – I find it disturbing.
Jamie´s last blog ..Things I learned on a cross-country drive
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I think it’s important for parents to be involved and know what their kids are up to on the computer.
Jodee´s last blog ..Honest Blogging
It really, truly scares me when I hear of this kind of stuff. But it is so important to know about! I’m so glad you brought this to the attention of your readers! Thank you for spreading the word! Now, we can all do our best to prevent disaster.
Tricia ´s last blog ..My First Top Ten Tuesday!
ick i heard of this on the radio just yesterday. disturbing is putting it mildly.
i hate to say, this is just a small glimpse of what teens are exposed to on the computer and in life. life in the age of the internet is a lot different than it was, for sure. at my house, there are no closed doors (not necessarily a rule, but just how things are), computer use is liberal, but i have all their log in info and they are quite comfortable being on the comp with me sitting right there with them.
my kids are very involved in sports and after school activities (and video games and tv) so there really isn’t much interest in the computer.
busy, active kids whose parents are around don’t have time/interest in this.
deb williams´s last blog ..Teen Talk: Survivors’ Stories
Random question after reading this: I am raising a little girl and with all the perverts out there it feels like it is scarier to raise a girl than a boy. You have two boys – are you more worried about Lily?
mrs.notouching´s last blog ..Because…
I’m worried about all of them. I really can’t say that I worry about Lily more– I think it’s pretty well divided among the three of them. :(
As we say at work…no need to be afraid of a guy walking into a bank with a gun. It’s the guy behind the computer that we need to be afraid of. Husband squealed when I told him, “holy crap that’s pedophile central”. Perez Hilton has been tweeting about thissite lately too.
As technologically savvy as I try to be, and as much as I try to convince myself that technology is a wonerful “progressive” tool, I constantly feel that we, socially speaking, are constantly LOSING moral ground, and not progressing anywhere constructive! What are the positives of this sight? What benefit does it bring one’s community? Wait…what IS community? Is this the next generation of social networking? It terrifies me! And, on a sub-conscious level, I believe it terrifies our children. Where is their safe place? Daycare? Facebook? This aforementioned site? It was possible for children to be children when I was young…now it’s more challenging to provide children the opportunity to just be kids. This is a societal failure. Perhaps the inability to protect our children from the adult world because of our greed/need for “progression” is part of the anger and hostility which is imbedded in so many of our youths.
i just want to add another thing…
it is easy to get caught up in all the ‘big’, obvious things that might affect our kids… pedophilia, internet stalkers, abduction, etc, but the reality is those thing will probably not touch the majority of our children. here is what i see, as a mom of teens, active in a public high school: drugs and depression. mostly depression. it is of epidemic proportions. the pressure kids are facing from their peers and from THEIR PARENTS is very overwhelming. suicide or cutting or self-loathing is a much bigger threat than anything else.
deb williams´s last blog ..Teen Talk: Survivors’ Stories
I totally agree. My brother in-law in a high school English teacher and the number of suicides in his school is astounding. Why is this happening? It’s horrifying. And, sites like chatroulette certainly can’t help a poor kid who is struggling with issues already, you know? But, yes, there certainly is a bigger problem.
yes, you are right. and since you replied, i want to add that in NO way am i criticizing your worry and disgust over this. when my kids were younger (as recently as a year ago), i was terrified over this stuff. it has only been within the last year or so have i come to learn that i had been very focused on these things, without realizing there was this other, more insidious issues. luckily, my biggest problem with my 16 yo right now is the threat of failing algebra II.
and you are SO right… those kids that are vulnerable to depression, drugs, etc, certainly don’t need the complications that sites like chatroulette can elicit.
thanks for helping us all be more aware… for the sake of our kids.
deb williams´s last blog ..Teen Talk: Survivors’ Stories
Yes, living in a bubble sounds really good.
I hadnt heard of it and thanks for the warning. Thing is mentioning it may make them curious to look… I will however take that chance and talk to them.
Vodka Logic´s last blog ..I’m Sorry……..
That is seriously messed up. I just saw five teenage boys drinking beer, a lot of heavily made up 13 year old girls, and about ten penises.
What the hell?? I’m moving off the grid before my kids can use the computer.
I went to the site after seeing your notification on Facebook. So glad you told us about it, and also horrified at what I saw. Very very scary. And too many parents are not supervising their kids, or don’t care. Or don’t understand that it’s their job to ensure their kids remain safe.
I talked to my daughter about this site, and she knew nothing about it. You can be sure I’ll be watching her even more closely.
And yes, we can’t always be there to save our kids, etc., but they are too young to know what they don’t know, and if there’s even a minute chance of helping her make the right decisions (even if she “hates” me for it) you can be sure I’m going to be there. Because that’s my job.
Thanks for letting us know about this awful site!
Mary @ Holy Mackerel´s last blog ..The List, Or How To Do Toronto Real Good With Lots And Lots Of Puke and Poop
Ewww…scary and yucky and icky. And, most importantly, scary. I’m thankful my kiddos aren’t quite old enough for computers.
Krystyn´s last blog ..Mommy and Me
Holy crap! That is insane! I am so scared about what my boys will be doing in 15 years!!! I did have a good laugh at what some people above me said they saw though. It is one of those things I am thinking, should I check that out, just once to see what it is about? But I think not, after reading about the woman who saw penises, not my cup of tea.
Jean´s last blog ..10 Things that make me Happy!
I’m amazed at the parents who DON’T monitor their kids and have these discussions with them. I worked for a large online company starting back in the late ’90s and saw/heard things that would make your hair curl. I’m amazed daily by the parents who let their children keep their computers in their bedrooms where they can do what they like totally unsupervised. Communication is key and being involved in what your kids are doing is NECESSARY. Thanks for posting this…unfortunately, it can’t be posted often enough!
And People think I’m crazy when I tell them we don’t have cable, or give our kids cell phones, or let them have TV in their room, or let them have computer time unsupervised. It’s a slippery slope…
Yeah, I know I’m a little bit… uh… “controlling”. But, I know that if something bad happens to my kids that I could have prevented from just paying a smidge more attention, then I could never forgive myself.
They are only young once, and for such a short time.
Texan Mama´s last blog ..Flashback Friday: God Bless America
I have my kids’ computer accounts set up with a Family Safety program that blocks certain content. It was free through MSN and it’s great in my opinion. It will allow access to kid friendly sites, their hotmail e-mail (which I can also decide who is allowed to send them messages and who they can send messages to). It will block any unknown site and known sites that may have inappropriate content. I know that it blocks Yahoo and YouTube and I am ok with that. My son is not, he loved to get on YouTube and search out World Of Warcraft videos. I am also able to allow access to a page they want to view if I deem it safe and appropriate. I feel a lot better about my kids being on the computer with this program in place.
Jayde´s last blog ..I ♥ Faces – Fix It Friday #44
Dude. I just had to turn on all the lights in the house. Why’d you have to do that?
Out-Numbered´s last blog ..You Wanna Do It?
yep, it’s got hair all over it – technology is advancing way too fast for the maturity that’s needed for it
scrappysue´s last blog ..photostory friday: anniversaries and blogaversaries
Never heard of this! Thanks for the head’s up–off to talk to Awesome Stepkid R. about this.
TheKitchenWitch´s last blog ..Slow-Cooked Asian Comfort
OMG! Disturbing, on a lot of levels!
Honey B.´s last blog ..House Pictures!
Now, that is scary.
I am so thankful Kaish isn’t into that yet! AND we don’t have a camera on the computer. PHEW! Scary stuff Jill!
Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..It’s Official: We love her!
Now THAT is scary. First kids are sexting photos of themselves using their cell phones and now THIS. If there is inappropriate images being broadcast (and there HAS to be because its mostly kids and teens) wouldn’t that be an issue of possible child pornography?
YOUCH.
Sunday Stilwell´s last blog ..My blog is Freakin Fabulous!
Very glad for the heads-up. Thank you.
michelle´s last blog ..Let’s move
What an incredible nightmare! Who the hell decided this was a good idea? I shudder at the thought of the number of kids you came across. Thank you for the warning and I will keep my eyes peeled.
kelly´s last blog ..I Am About Twenty Years Away From My Full Destructive Potential
Wow, that is scary stuff. I need to be more in the know about things like this because it will happen before I know it that my kids will be of this age.
Jen @ buried with children´s last blog ..Dear Friends and Readers
Wow. What a scary site! Our oldest is going to be 7 and it scares me to see the stuff the internet has available to children. Thanks for sharing. I’ll be sure to retweet and share this post.
Tickled Pink Twice´s last blog ..Daddy Daughter Day
Wow. I am usually pretty up on things like this and I’d never heard of that site before I read your post. THANK YOU for posting it and giving me the heads up. My son is just on the brink of all this stuff and I will definitely be talking to him about this one!!!
Cecily R´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday and 365 Week 7
It’s absolutely like something out of a futuristic movie from the ’70′s. Freaky.
I am FREAKING out right now. THank you for sharing this!
angie´s last blog ..I have a thing or two to say about paint and sushi……….
That is really creepy. I hadn’t heard of that site, but thankfully I do now. I cringe thinking of what might be next, when my son gets older. It’s amazing how the internet has become an extension of adolescent bullying and games. I could see how a site like this might contribute to suicide and depression, like mentioned in the comments above. I know that as a middle-schooler, I would have probably cried my eyes out being rejected on this site. But I can see the appeal of it too, kind of like watching a car wreck.
Kathleen´s last blog ..Weekend Contest Love (2/20)
That is scary. As big a dork as this reveals to me, it just reminds me that the commentary on SyFy’s (I hate that) Caprica is pretty close to home. The teens in that show have made hacks to a program to create a “club” where their virtual counter-parts participate in all sorts of horrible things. Hearing of this and thinking of the movies with killers using video and internet, just sends chills up my spine. Scary.
Cranky Sarah´s last blog ..A change in tone: Night Time Waking- Toddlers
I don’t see the appeal, even on it’s most innocent level. Why would I want to evaluate someone based on a minute or so of screen time? Why would I want to be assessed like that?
thepsychobabble´s last blog ..Double the Love
I won’t be going there. Too Scary. Too totally wrong.
I had heard about this site and at first that could be neat and possibly interesting. And then I read more, I could not agree with you more, this is just a disaster waiting to happen and we must keep our kids away from it, in all honesty we should just stay away from it. And if it is not going away I at least hope there is a way for someone to step in and regulate this site somehow.
Sharon ´s last blog ..Recipe – One Pot Dr. Pepper Pork Chops
I just heard about this site today. It sounded like a funny thing until a friend told me that she saw a 4 year old child being abused on it. She called the cops, but how can they really do anything?
Julie’s husband is right, it’s pedophile central. And it may not be your child who gets affected by this, but it is someone’s child. This site needs to go.
Shan @ Last Shreds Of Sanity´s last blog ..An Interview With Susan From What Happened To My House?
Fabulous. One more thing to worry about. I am considering burying the computer in the backyard.
tracey´s last blog ..Immortality on the Internet
Well, my kids can’t use a computer yet, but for sure this has a potential for some horror stories. As parents, however, we can’t necessarily stop people from putting sites like this up. Monitoring, answering questions, providing information might help our kids make the right decision (hopefully). I think we need to instill confidence in them and understand that it’s okay if they don’t succumb to the powerful influence of peer pressure.
Mariano´s last blog ..How Many LinkedIn Connections are Too Many?
I have never heard of this site until now, but thank you for telling me about it.
It’s too scary now a days how intimate you can be on the computer, especially kids.
Stephaine @ Geezees´s last blog ..WARNING (girly post) my true gentleman …. and twilight
Good grief! Thanks for the heads-up… I’ll be tightening up computer security around here… and keeping an eye out!
Nan´s last blog ..Totally Granola… Except For The Lego.
That is scary! Thanks for the warning. The control I have over Princess Nagger’s online access? It just got a little tighter. :)
Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)´s last blog ..It’s Illegal to Open that Box of Coke!
I’m a pretty paranoid parent. I have a hard time letting my kids go to people’s houses or even walking to the park – and I live in a very conservative neighborhood (I stay because if I leave this place will become a black hole and suck up the universe, by the way – SOMEONE here has to have a brain)….anyways, I don’t have a webcam – and I’m glad. There are all kinds of ways for my kids to do stuff they shouldn’t so I’ve never been down with using one.
juliea´s last blog ..(How) Do You Oatmeal?
Thanks I will totally check this out. I have a 15 year old that doesnt spend much time on the computer, since he is on xbox live with friends all the time. However my daughter is almost 20 and is on the computer all the time. I would hope she hasnt visited this site as she is old enough now to know better.
I’m an adult, no kids at home but STILL this seems so creapy to me. Thanks for the warning!
nycgirl0501´s last blog ..Tissue Paper Flowers & Shower Gift
That is scary! Thanks for the heads up. Now I have a child I just find the internet scarier and scarier – and he’s only 15 months old, heaven help me when he’s actually old enough to use it!
hellyamber´s last blog ..Holidaying – week one
I am soooo glad my kids don’t have webcams…..though I have to admit I’m not all too sure what they can do with their camera phones….
Oh my goodness! I have never heard of this site. As a Mom of both an 8 year old and 11 year old girl this is truly scary. Thanks for posting.
WOW! That is crazy.
I’ve never heard of the site– but it definitely sounds disturbing – especially that kids are on it!
Complicated Mama´s last blog ..Candy under my pillow.. I must be staying at the Ritz Carlton right? -wrong.
I’ve been blogging for two years
Try six and you find that your posts have been discovered and sent around anywhere and everywhere. It gets pretty nutty, especially when someone plagiarizes your material and then accuses you of being the thief.
It is just one more place online that we have to worry about.
Jack´s last blog ..Setting Goals
WTH? Are you for real???
This site sounds incredibly dangerous and I can’t even imagine what is going to happen when this thing becomes really popular!!!
Sophia’s Mom´s last blog ..Things Husbands Do
just another reason to solidify WHY I never let my children out of my sight! Except to go to school! Literally, 6 hours a day is the only time our children are not with either myself or my husband! I’m never letting them move out!
The concept for this site is definitely creepy! I think this is why it is so important to really keep the lines of communication open and talk to your kids about everything even the stuff you don’t want them to know about!
Fiona´s last blog ..What you do Matters ~ What I WANT to do Matters
Oof. This is why my daughter will never ever ever have a computer in her room. The internet is a scary place, to say the very least.
amber´s last blog ..A First Birthday Dilemma.
Thanks so much for posting about this. I have been thinking a lot lately about the underbelly of the internet, but I had not heard of this site. I have teens. I’ll talk to them. Thank you!
Maggie´s last blog ..My Recipe Is A Finalist!
Wow, I am glad I read your very well written post. I was blissfully unaware, and now that I too, am disturbed, I’m sharing this with moms whos kids are likely to find this site. Thanks for spreading the awareness of this ..eek.. I cant even find words.. grossness!!
claire´s last blog ..I’m all Homer Simpson over here.
this world is getting scarier everyday. thanks for the heads up …
This is terrifying… And they try to say that TV is the devil…
Can it get any worse than this?????
I attended a seminar with the Provincial Police on this topic. They suggest to keep computers out of your child’s room. Instead have a family computer positioned so that you can see the sites they are visiting.
chill out, i can smell the conservative hysteria, if you don’t want your kids to see it then block it on your computers
How very frightening to think of all of the kids who may go on there, who ARE on there.
I don’t have a cam, but I checked it out for about 1 minute.
I saw a lot of older men in various states of undress.
Really, this is very frightening.
I’m glad that I have teenage sons (16 & 18) who aren’t into this kind of stuff, they prefer World of Warcraft and xbox360, instead of social media madness.
Thank you for the heads up though, very much appreciated.
Kat´s last blog ..I still don’t want it.
Thanks for the heads up about this site. All this social networking is frightening when it comes to kids. It’s very alarming that you saw a lot of kids out there during your visit. As parents we really have to be on top of things. Keeping computers out of the bedroom is a very good suggestion.
Tina´s last blog ..The Power Wheels Beetle – The Love Bug In Pink
I’m 28, and I just went there for the first time tonight, and stayed for about an hour. It scares the hell out of me to think about kids being exposed to some of the trash that I just saw. Some pervert literally had child porn still images linked as his screen capture. I want to vomit, and I don’t even have kids. Parents, PLEASE block this website on your kids computers, or the family computers, or whatever! I saw about one normal person for every 20 wierdos. Are there really that many freak shows out there?? I guess so. :(
yowza and no thanks ;-)
what the hell is your problem? this site is not thaat bad
it was not made for children it was made for teenagers and older people if u find children on this site it’s probably your fault as parents you don’t know how to controle your sons and daughters
yeah there are some perverts on this site but u can find good people on it 2
if you truly loved your children, you wouldn’t spend your time worrying about what they are and are not being exposed to. the world is theirs to do with what they will – you should have read the fine print before bringing another life into this world. educate them and let them make decisions on their own.
If you don’t like who you’re talking to you can always click Next. It’s really not a very dangerous site.
BUT YAH LETS SHELTER OUR KIDS FROM EVERYTHING IN THIS WORLD GOOD IDEA
I was a teenager not too long ago myself, and it doesn’t matter if your computer is in a common room (ours was). It doesn’t matter if you check their browser history (they’ll be smart enough to delete it; I was). You can try to control them all you like, but the fact is that will probably do things you don’t like on the internet. Think of it this way; would you rather have them chatting explicitly online, or having real sex?
I think the important thing to emphasize with kids is how to prevent their internet use from spilling over into real life, and warn them about sharing too much information. Other than that, there’s very little you can do… they will find a way.
As for your fears about chat roulette, I don’t think it’s going to result in the destruction of society like your post implies. (In fact, it makes me think you’ve seen very little of the internet… ever heard of “4chan”? ) Most websites like this are a flash in the pan.
I love 4chan!
/b/
i have to say that as a young parent of 2 little girls, i do alot more stuff then my parents did . lol however i went on that site recently as well and had some pretty nice conversations( ok actually it was only 3 conversations but they lasted at least an hour each) it was cool getting to see people in different countries and learn there thoughts. on the other hand…. for every person i found that talked to me at least 10 others were either clickers( people who dont think ur cute enough etc etc) or the “naughty” people. i saw lots of naughty people on that site, however nothing shocked me or my husband more than we were clicked next and saw a father with his daughter(who wasnt more than 4 yrs by the looks of it) watching all these cams…… i was horrified. as a mom i try to keep up with what is the “trend” so as my kids get older i know what the possiblities for trouble are but to let my babies on that website ohhhhh uhuh. ty for the informative post though , liked it
I am a 15 year old girl and I just recently found out about chatroulette.com. I found out about it on omegle.com, another site I won’t be going on any time soon, and I also heard of it on a new episode of South Park.
I found chatroulette to be a very… disgusting, for the lack of a better word, and I don’t appriciate the people on it. I just think that the parents of children have to teach them to be resonsible, especially when using the internet. My parents definitly succeeded in teaching me how to use the internet properly, as well as to be respectful and responsible when using it.
But, the world isn’t all happy rainbows and unicorns, there’s gonna be some weirdos out there. And, yeah, that’s scary, but I understand that because of what my parents taught me. Because of them I want to make the world a less scary place. Parents can’t hide their kids from the world forever, but that dosen’t mean you can’t make is any less dangerous when they do start venturing out on their own. Knowledge is a powerful thing, and all parents need to share it correctly with their children.
Many of you have such a carebear attitude towards chatroulette. Past a certain age (no not 7, but maybe like 14) kids that are exposed to this stuff do so on their own free will. While the choices they make may not be the best it’s important to let them discover things. Afterall, not all of the people on that site have only 1 hand showing…
It just annoys me to see people posting things like “Oh no, I am soooo horrified!!” Gimme a break woman.
ACK!!! I have heard about chatroulette before from my friends.. I have seen a few videos of ‘strange’ experiences’ posted on youtube and it, well just wasn’t my style. This is incredibly disturbing though. The access and freedom the internet provides is great, but the fact that is allows kids to act in such an awful manner is really scary. I just pray I can educate my child about the dangerous of the internet before its his time. thanks for sharing.