[Boudica]

I don't know whether I'm surprised by this or not, but Omegle has been shut down. Unsurprisingly, this was following claims of abuse. The owner decided to close it's doors.

I'm not particularly surprised that there were issues with abuse. However, I am curious as to how anyone went on that site and didn't expect to see penis.

Code:

Popular live video chat website Omegle is shutting down after 14 years following user claims of abuse.

The service, which randomly placed users in online chats with strangers, grew in popularity with children and young people during the Covid pandemic.

But the site has been mentioned in more than 50 cases against paedophiles in the last couple of years.

Founder Leif Brooks said that operating the website was "no longer sustainable, financially nor psychologically".

"There can be no honest accounting of Omegle without acknowledging that some people misused it, including to commit unspeakably heinous crimes," he said.

"As much as I wish circumstances were different, the stress and expense of this fight - coupled with the existing stress and expense of operating Omegle, and fighting its misuse - are simply too much.

"Frankly, I don't want to have a heart attack in my 30s."

Source

[7om 8rady]

What a fucking stupid scenario.

Although Omegle certainly did not do themselves any favours, I cannot see how an 11-year-old can safely be given unfettered access to the Internet.

[Dismas]

It's a marvel it managed to stay online almost 15 years. It was universally accepted if you used Omegle you'd run into people whacking off (or worse). Give people a platform and anonymity, and it will be misused.

[Gaterr]

RIP my childhood, used to be on this all the time.

[Boudica]

What a fucking stupid scenario.

Although Omegle certainly did not do themselves any favours, I cannot see how an 11-year-old can safely be given unfettered access to the Internet.

I am wondering how some of these legal issues got as far as they did, specifically relating to minors. I'm pretty sure the site had age restrictions too.

It's a marvel it managed to stay online almost 15 years. It was universally accepted if you used Omegle you'd run into people whacking off (or worse). Give people a platform and anonymity, and it will be misused.

Truthfully that was part of the attraction of going on the site as a teenager. You felt like a rebel and it was "hilarious". Really it's just gross and sad but there you go.

[7om 8rady]

What a fucking stupid scenario.

Although Omegle certainly did not do themselves any favours, I cannot see how an 11-year-old can safely be given unfettered access to the Internet.

I am wondering how some of these legal issues got as far as they did, specifically relating to minors. I'm pretty sure the site had age restrictions too.

It's a marvel it managed to stay online almost 15 years. It was universally accepted if you used Omegle you'd run into people whacking off (or worse). Give people a platform and anonymity, and it will be misused.

Truthfully that was part of the attraction of going on the site as a teenager. You felt like a rebel and it was "hilarious". Really it's just gross and sad but there you go.

The underlying problem is the intersection of children and the Internet. The two ways of dealing with it are trying to change what is on the Internet or changing where and how children can access it.

[Boudica]

What a fucking stupid scenario.

Although Omegle certainly did not do themselves any favours, I cannot see how an 11-year-old can safely be given unfettered access to the Internet.

I am wondering how some of these legal issues got as far as they did, specifically relating to minors. I'm pretty sure the site had age restrictions too.

It's a marvel it managed to stay online almost 15 years. It was universally accepted if you used Omegle you'd run into people whacking off (or worse). Give people a platform and anonymity, and it will be misused.

Truthfully that was part of the attraction of going on the site as a teenager. You felt like a rebel and it was "hilarious". Really it's just gross and sad but there you go.

The underlying problem is the intersection of children and the Internet. The two ways of dealing with it are trying to change what is on the Internet or changing where and how children can access it.

So true! There's also a lot of arguments about liability/responsibility. I.e. Is it the parents responsibility to stop kids accessing concerning content, or teachers to tell kids how to stay safe online, is it search engines to prevent concerning content reaching minors or the platforms themselves?

Realistically, if a kid wants to be reckless online, there's little a parent can do to stop them besides disconnecting the internet. In that sense, a young teen is going to find a way around restrictions to get to the content they want (yes I'm looking at you teenage boys). xD

[alexman05]

Any alternatives for Omegle. Asking for a friend of course

This is satire

[Boudica]

Any alternatives for Omegle. Asking for a friend of course

This is satire

Chat roulette if that's still around? xD

[Beazy]

Surprised it took that long honestly