Omegle: Talk to Strangers

     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 

https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/news-blogs/what-is-omegle-what-parents-need-to-know/#:~:text=Launched%20in%20March%202009%2C%20Omegle,from%20anywhere%20in%20the%20world.  

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?

Photograph included in Omegle statement of closure.

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Replies

  • I have never actually used Omegle but it sounds like something fun for a group of people to do when they ar board. I am honestly glad they finally took it down hope there is never e website people are ganna take advantage of again.

    • I am kinda glad they took down omegle because It wasn't a very safe app. But I am sad because I had fun on the app with my friend.

  • I don't think Omegle is safe, because lots of adults go on therre and do innapropriate things, I've used omegle before and I have never used it since.

  • I think Omegle is very unsafe because of the people on it, and the lack of safety on the website. I have used Omegle(with you) and while it can be very entertaining, it is still very bad and not safe at all. I think it is good that it shut down but it is a little sad that the Omegle era has ended. 

    • True, True, True. I think the app is very unsafe. That app kinda tramatized me and you! I am very sad the app shut down, but I think its a good thing so then nobody else can get flashed on omegle anymore. 

  • I think omegle is safe because it is just a video chat website and the people can't do anything to the other person. I have never use omegle, but the videos I see look pretty funny and the conversations are pretty cool. I think the creator did the right thing.

  • I don't think omegle is safe because the videos I've seen are a little sketchy and some people don't have common sense. I have never yoused omegle and don't plan on it any time soon. I think the creator the the right thing because the website was to popular with how sketchy it was.

  • I don't think Omegle was safe because of its popularity during the pandemic and also from YouTube videos, I remember seeing videos where people could track your location just to prank you, and there would also be inappropriate stuff. In my opinion, I do not think Omegle was ever safe, even though you had to be old enough to join, but most people did not care. 

    • I know that there was a few people on omegle who would tell you, your location. That is just creepy. I agree with you, omegle is not safe at all.

  • I think that omegle is a non-safe website. I have heard manhy stories from my friends about all of the thing that have happened on that website. I have not used the website and don't intend on using it. I think that taking down the website was a good idea because of there being more disadvantages to advatages.

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