Omegle is an online video chat website. You can either video call or text. It was created in March 2009. The website states that its sole function is to “match users at random for one-on-one video chat”. You can talk to people around the world. It is a very popular app to use during sleepovers or when you are bored with friends. It might seem very fun to make friends with new people it’s very dangerous.
What’s so dangerous about Omegle? The app is known for having many predators. I have used the app before and there are so many young children and older adults. It’s not safe for young children to be talking to strangers around the world. In 2021, a woman sued Omegle because when she was 11 she got put into a chat with a man who sexually exploited her. The app is not very monitored because it’s just “a stranger”. You don’t have to sign up or log in. It's anonymous. Omegle is also an easy target for cyberbullying because people are so mean. The app was used all over the world. It was full of many different cultures and people. There are so many gross people on the internet and that’s why Omegle is not very safe.
One reason why Omegle was so popular is, that many YouTubers make videos about Omegle. More specifically, Children's content Youtubers. That introduces minors to Omegle. Most of the videos show the good and funny side of Omegle. Then it makes them think it’s okay to use the app. Another reason is that it’s a pretty popular app to use when you are with your friends. I have only used it with my friends. We have spent many hours talking to random people and making friends with people. Even though It wasn’t safe, I thought it was really fun.
On November 9th, 2023, Omegle shut down after running for 14 years. This left many fans of Omegle devastated. The creator of the website wrote a very long message to the people about why the app shut down. He wrote, “There can be no honest accounting of Omegle without acknowledgment that some people misused it, including to commit unspeakably heinous crimes”. The creator knew that the app wasn’t safe. There have been so many lawsuits from horrible situations. Omegle doesn’t have any ads and it doesn’t need a subscription, it didn’t make much money and there were expensive lawsuits.
I personally think that it was the right thing to shut down Omegle. It was a very interesting website, but I think it has made the internet much more safer. Over the past 14 years, the internet has changed so much. People are creepy and mean.
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/09/1211807851/omegle-shut-down-leif-k-brooks
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67364634
Picture Cred. Omegle's website.
Do you think Omegle is safe?
Have you ever used Omegle?
Do you think the creater did the right thing by shutting the website down?
Replies
I think its good that you haven't been on omegle before, there is so many bad things about that website. It tramatized me.
I think that Omegle is not safe at all. I've heard many stories about the bad things that happen on that website. I have used it before, but that was a while ago. Taking down the website was probably for the best, but it could be fun at some points to be able to talk to people.
I agree with you. It was fun at some points, it's not really safe to be on it.
Although I have never used Omegle, I do not think it is safe. There are many ways to talk to new people without the risks that are present on this site. I think the creator did the right thing by shutting down the site because the disadvantages outweighed the advantages,
I agree with you, I think it was for the best that omegle was shut down. It was not a very safe app.
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