Comments on: Betting on a chatroom

By: Kaela Stager

Kaela Stager — Sat, 08 May 2010 01:19:41 +0000

I am really impressed that a 17 year old came up with this whole concept and actually created this site. However, I am not surprised that he came up with idea since the world of technology and the internet is our generation that we have practially grown up in and are accustomed to. Chatting online has been around for awhile and its interesting that he decided to put those ideas of skype and chatting together. Even though a person can “next” someone of report them, I do agree about the issue of safety when chatting to a complete stranger. Even though a person can now see their face (before they could be lying about being a young girl, when it could be a man) they still could lie about other things. So I agree that self-disclosure online is a risky thing because you do not know if the person you are talking to is trustworthy or not. However, it is a fun and intersting concept and there are many more out there like those, but I am very impressed that this 17 year old not only created this wesite, but that it also become so successful so fast.

By: Perry Hawkins

Perry Hawkins — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:35:27 +0000

This is a crazy concept, and I can’t believe it actually stuck with internet users. For those that don’t have the greatest social skills, this can be a great way to meet new people. The random selction makes it great that people from different paths can cross. I just wish there were more regulations to protect younger people from weird people that engage on these sites.

By: Steven Reaza

Steven Reaza — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:36:36 +0000

I think it is awesome that average people are able to make a name for themselves just by developing something new and exciting on the internet that a lot of people find fascinating, or entertaining. Many websites like Facebook,and Mozilla Firefox were developed by average people who wanted to try something new on the web. It just goes to show the true power of the internet. People are able to use tools that have already been around for years like instant messaging, webcams, and blogs as a foundation for the next internet sensation. A 17 year old kid who had a simple idea and the guts to go through with it is not claiming some serious cash for his work on the world wide web.

By: Kris P

Kris P — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:40:02 +0000

While reading the article I became astonished about the fact that the creator of this popular program was a 17 year old. I have heard of Chatroulette for some time now, but was never aware of its humble beginnings. It seemed only natural for text based message chatrooms to be “upgraded” by incorporating audio and visual aspects as well. However, like most content and users of the Internet, censorship and becomes an issue when mature content cannot be regulated. And while placing restrictions such as requiring personal information would only drive away users, the content shared between users will continue to be a grey area for the FCC.

By: shane henry

shane henry — Wed, 05 May 2010 03:48:53 +0000

I first heard about Chat Roulette about a month or so ago in the caf. To be honest, my first impression was not the best. My friends told me how you will often come across something you really do not want to see on the site. I am a private person and the fact that anyone could come onto your screen creeps me out! Maybe I would see like it was like one time but I have friends I would rather talk to than complete strangers. Who knows what kind of information these people can come across with just your IP address. As for me, I will stick to Facebook.

By: Erin Channing

Erin Channing — Tue, 04 May 2010 05:10:51 +0000

I remember when the internet first reached homes across America, the number one thing I was told that was bad was entering a chat room of any kind. Back in junior high a friend and I went on a couple chat rooms at her house (I never dared at my own home) out of curiosity to see what kind of people we would come across. It never seemed that the people in these chat rooms were normal whatsoever though. It seems kind of funny to me now that the film “You’ve Got Mail” is based around a man and woman who meet in a chat room and end up being perfect for each other. Nowadays, the likeliness of that actually happening seems slim to none. There is still something that seems really taboo about chat rooms in my mind, but I guess if people really want to make new social contacts that is one way to do it!

By: Shaun Sinift

Shaun Sinift — Sun, 02 May 2010 20:27:41 +0000

My immediate reaction to this idea is to be wary of it. I understand that this theoretically is a very interesting idea and has potential to be a great experience. Being able to discuss and engage with someone from another culture and/or background would be incredibly interesting. However, unfortunately in the world today, one can never be too careful and this site is a big risk in that area. I am impressed that such a young person created such an interesting idea, but with the uncertainties that we face in the online world about truth and reality, pose too big a risk for me personally. It is too bad that there has to be so many negative potential results to such a unique and interesting use of the Internet.

By: Marie Harlan

Marie Harlan — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:06:13 +0000

I think that this Chatroulette thing is genius but ridiculous. This kid was smart because he knows what the world likes nowadays. People like to meet people online and to me that is weird but to a lot of people it is cool or normal. I would never want to meet my future husband online, but that is just me. I think that God brings people into your face to face life for a reason and we need to take advantage of that instead of gluing our eyes to a computer trying to meet people. There are people all around us that you can talk to face to face. But I guess a lot of people are nervous to talk face to face so this chatroulette thing is great for them. But I would never allow this in my household and I would never do it myself.

By: Bethany Bridges

Bethany Bridges — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:01:52 +0000

It does not surprise me that a 17 yr old thought this whole thing up. The ages are getting younger and younger. Kids all over spend hours and hours on the internet, whether it’s chatting or playing games. So why not put the two together. Cyberspace has its allure. It creates an instant communication with someone. Insecure teenagers or even adults find cyberspace inviting and welcoming. This concept or chatting face to face is a little sketchy, especially with anonymous people. It is dangerous. If my kids were doing this I would not let them participate. It would be blocked immediately.

By: Alicia Nelson

Alicia Nelson — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:40:18 +0000

Hmmm, Chatroulette can serve a plethora of functions but the top three that I can think of are: 1. Dating, 2. Predators, 3. Pen pals. The scariest of course is number two. Sixteen years old is still too young to be able to video chat with people around the world, although, I know it goes on in many homes. If any of my children even thought of loggin onto that site, I’d put a block on my computer in a heartbeat. The net is just too unsafe for children, especially when there so many perverts out there. The thought of what they could possibly be doing while they are chatting with these sixteen year olds makes me sick to my stomach.