Omegle
Name: Omegle
Owned By: Omegle.com, LLC.
Category: Video Chatting
Operating System: Android
Available for download: Yes
Desktop version: Yes
Approximate release date: 2009
Age Rating*: Rated 18+ or 13+ for parental permission and supervision
Brief Description*: Omegle (oh·meg·ull) is a great way to meet new friends, even while practicing social distancing. When you use Omegle, you are paired randomly with another person to talk one-on-one. If you prefer, you can add your interests and you’ll be randomly paired with someone who selected some of the same interests.
*Information from the App Store
- Access to camera (device camera)
People can video chat with strangers through Omegle.
- Connect with strangers (ability to)
Omegle randomly pairs with another person via video chat or text. They advertise their platform as “talk to strangers.”
- Cyberbullying opportunities
Similar to other social networking apps, cyberbullying is plausible.
- Business accounts
Omegle is not for businesses.
- Inappropriate content
When users are randomly connected with others via video chat, they can be exposed to nudity and sexual content. Some have reported men masturbating on the app.
- Video is monitored
Omegle monitors video chats, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be exposed to inappropriate content.
- Collects user’s information
Omegle can save and record all your text and video chats.
- Ability to get hacked
With a little bit of hacking knowledge, people can access text and video chats collected by Omegle and use them as black mail or a way to harass people. They can also easily access your IP address, which is connected to your location and network.
- Anonymous text and video chat
When people are randomly paired with strangers on Omegle, it is completely anonymous. The app won’t include their name, location, etc. However, users can share their information at their own discretion.
Reviewed By: Ryan
Omegle is a video chatting platform. It will randomly connect you through video chat to someone in the world, similar to Chatroulette and Moky and Monkey. Due to the function of this platform, it would be easy for a young person to connect to someone trying to groom or convince them to do something sexual. If you try using the “Start Chatting: Text” function for about one minute, you will easily see that this is not an appropriate site/app for youth.
The app is not available for IOS; however, if your child has the app from a previous download, it may still function. Also, be aware that it may become available again in the future.
There are “Omegle like” apps available in the IOS store, such as “Omg,” “Omegle Hoop on a Chat,” and “Adult Chat: Hookup Dating App.” Additionally, there are many websites available that will randomly pair people together to chat, such as “Tiny Chat,” “Chatrandom,” and “Chatroulette.”
Kids are curious and if they learn of one of these sites, they will try to use one. I’ve heard stories of kids as young as 10 years old discovering these sites. In my opinion, nothing good will happen on these sites.
I would not recommend Omegle, or any of the ones like it, for anyone under 18 years old.