Social networking is a major part of the web. Many online social network sites have become popular, taking the use of the internet to new heights. MySpace, Facebook and Twitter are the leaders in the race of these online social communities.
Another site is quickly catching up though, with a twist unlike the others.
ChatRoulette has quickly moved into the social networking neighborhood making a name for itself. The Web site was created by 17-year-old Andrey Ternovskiy of Moscow, Russia.
The Web site randomly pairs its users with others online for a real time video and audio chat. The site then allows its users to click its "next" button at any time to exit a session with the users and proceed to the next pairing.
Living up to its name, ChatRoulette is an assortment of virtual goodies and mental razorblades which users pick essentially blindfolded. Sometimes individuals may pick a nice girl or guy with similar interests and a great smile, students dressed in bunny suits and maid costumes, or the unfortunate site of an eighty year old man performing distasteful acts feigning for attention may pop on to your screen.
The concept sparks many disputes amongst students and parents alike.
Andrew Wonder, who recently tried out the controversial site said, "I still can't believe this site is real. It's a completely uncensored look at all the people and inappropriate body parts I met there. I'm still shocked every time I look at it. I'm very glad not to be a parent right now."
Sarah Buss, from The Tufts Daily, warned her student readers about ChatRoulette saying, "Users beware, all who enter do so at their own risk. Five minutes on the site might result in seeing and speaking with anyone from a group of partygoers in Berlin to a silent pornographic image to a lonely student living only a few miles away."
Amanda Lenhart, director of Pew Internet & American Life Project's research on Teens, Children and Families told MSNBC that in many ways, ChatRoulette is reminiscent of the early days of the Internet. Lenhart also said part of the appeal is "the thrill of a possible and quick, window on to the illicit, the sexual, the creepy and gross lives of anonymous strangers."
Leslie Meredith, reporter from Tech Daily News, referred to ChatRoulette as a "throwback to internet early days." ChatRoulette seems to be the rebirth of the old chat room experience combined with an entire new appealing offer of cyber freedom. But can freedom be misused and taken advantage of?
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