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
The app wasn't very safe because there were so many young people. I agree with you thinking that it was the right thing to shut down the app.
I can see the reasons that the site was shut down. But hearing this news made me upset I would go on this site when we would hang out with friends and talk to random people. However, this site had its problems adults would go on the site and do inappropriate things with kids which was the reason the site was shut down.
I agree with you. The app was fun- for the most part making friends. People just ruined it for others. I feel like people needed to be mature with it and they didn't.
Omegle was a fun website to connect to people but it was not safe whatsoever. I have used Omegle a few times and it was fun but you really have to be caution on it and not share any information.
I feel like omegle was fun, other than gettting flashed. I feel like it wasn't safe either. I agree with what you are saying.
I do not think that the creator is right for shutting the site down. I have used this site before and have had a lot of fun with the many different people also using the website. I was sad to see that it died. I know that the many cases involving omegle was a problem for them but it was still a lot of fun to do with friends or just to mess around and have fun.
I am very sad omegle shut down. But I feel like its for the best. It will make the internet more safe. I thought it was pretty fun making new friends with people and that is one of the things I will miss about it.
Although Omegle can be fun connecting with people you dont know to some. Ive heard many stories about the bad things that have occured on Omegle. I think there is better ways to connect and talk with people that is safer that dosent involve risks.
I don't thjjink omegle is safe because you are talking to random peopl you don't know, and that could be dangerous. I have never used omegle. I think the creator did the right thing.
I personally don't use Omegle at all, it's just not something that I've ever wanted to or had friends that used it. I feel Omegle can be both safe and unsafe depending on if it is used correctly or incorrectly. I think that social media websites like Omegle can end up causing more harm than good, even though its intentions for usage were good.
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