Chatroulette: A Pedophile's Paradise?

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Cybercrime

(CBS)

NEW YORK (CBS) Checked out "Chatroulette" yet? The new online chat service that connects complete strangers via webcams is reportedly gaining thousands of users a day – but it's also raising fears that it could be fertile ground for pedophiles, sex offenders and child molesters.

"There is a lot of illegal activity on this site that is hard to enforce," Ernie Allen, President of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, said on The Early Show. He added, "This is the last place parents want their kids to be."

The Web site, created just three months ago by a 17-year-old Russian whiz kid, drops you into a world where you connect through webcams to a random, seemingly limitless succession of strangers from anywhere in the world.

Chats can be simple and friendly, but some users are looking for more than just conversation. And though "Chatroulette" claims "you have to be at least 16-years-old to use (the) service," it seems the site is gaining popularity among teens for its potentially sexually explicit sessions.

"This is a huge red flag; this is extreme social networking," Allen said on the morning show. "This is a place kids are going to gravitate to."

The site issues several disclaimers for would-be webcam chatters.

"Chatroulette does not tolerate broadcasting obscene, offending, pornographic material," reads the home page.

It also encourages users to "report inappropriate video" through a link on the site.

Want to see what it's about? Click here, but be warned.

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by dawlheart May 8, 2010 12:21 AM EDT: I went on chatroulette thinking I'd be able to laugh off most of the perverse sights on there, but tonight I saw something truly disturbing: A man and a 5-6 year old girl. I reported the video of course, but do you know of any further action I can take? I've been googling it, but haven't found any information. Since it's based in Russia I don't think I can file a report with the police. If you have any information or links please let me know. It sickens me to think some ****** is using this site to further his excitement of abusing a child.; Reply to this comment


by benstevens19 February 24, 2010 4:09 PM EST: super informative, and funny, little movie about chat roulette here. people should be required to watch this before using chat roulette

http://www.vimeo.com/9669721; Reply to this comment


by thesevenveils February 24, 2010 9:02 AM EST: What a great concept. Too bad a few sickos have to ruin the idea.; Reply to this comment


by himhim10 February 23, 2010 9:23 PM EST: Chatroulette can be innocent fun, just check out this youtube parody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elxohU9LBzk; Reply to this comment


by VinceR22 February 23, 2010 12:37 PM EST: no illegal activity here, but pretty funny chatroulette screengrabs
http://lolchats.tumblr.com; Reply to this comment