Hey, parents! Anything that includes the name “omegle” in any shape or form is trouble. This app changes logos, colors, alters its name slightly – anything to evade being blocked. No matter what it’s called, it’s trouble. The App Stores boot it out all the time and the some other start up or logo pops up with the same name. Right now, the app isn’t in the Apple App Store but it pops back in from time to time.
What is Omegle?
Description: Omegle is an online chat website that allows users to communicate with others without the need to register. The service randomly pairs users in one-on-one chat or video sessions. There’s an app that uses the yellow logo (which seems to be changing every week) and also a browser-based version of Omegle at www.omegle.com.
Category: Social Networking
APP Store rating: 17+ for “frequent/intense mature/suggestive themes and infrequent/mild sexual content and nudity.
What do parents need to know about Omegle?
There’s tons of live nudity. The ability to be paired up with anyone, anywhere in the world should throw up tons of red flags for parents. Even the creators of Omegle warn that anyone under 18 using the app should be monitored by parents. The iPhone version of the app works like this:
At Omegle.com through a browser, users are given the opportunity to participate in an “unmoderated video” chat, “adult video” chat, “monitored video” chat, or a “text” chat. A warning box appears if you click the “unmoderated” or “adult” links, making sure the user is at least 18 and is aware that sexual material is coming. And, beware, because it is absolutely true.
Immediately upon joining one of the “unmoderated” or “adult” video chats, the user is confronted with live nudity from random webcams. Even in the “monitored” video chats, you will occasionally run into a simulated webcam where someone has inserted a still image of a naked woman, or there are guys who are disgustingly pleasuring themselves on webcam just waiting to have a video chat.
But, you can block the web version of Omegle by changing the DNS on your router. The DNS IP addresses shared in this blog post (How to Block Porn on Any Device. For Free.) will block the website.
It’s an app that literally just pairs you up with strangers. “Text” chats are exactly what they say. A conversation with a random individual.
What often happens is someone will start a chat and offer their KiK username (or other social media site) where the conversation continues with all of Kik’s features. We have tested this site through a browser, posing as different people of different ages, and the level of depravity is shocking. When there is anonymity, anything goes.
The bottom line – is Omegle safe?
There’s absolutely nothing good about Omegle and no good reason that any child or teen (or adult) should be using it. Parents should take extreme caution when deciding if their kids should use this app based on the risks noted.
Related post: Three Reasons to Turn off the App Store
Now what? Have you heard of Bark?
Are you interested in having greater insight into the social media platforms that your kids are using? Bark is one of the best platforms we’ve tested. If your kid is using social media, then they need Bark. We trust them and we think you should, too!
*There may be affiliate links throughout this post because we’ve tested and trust a small list of parental control solutions. Our work saves you time! If you decide that you agree with us, then we may earn a small commission, which does nothing to your price. Enjoy!
