What is Omegle?
Omegle is a website which is specifically designed to allow users to talk to strangers. It works by randomly matching users to talk one-to-one using either text or video. It is free and anonymous to use, with no account registration or age verification. Many concerns have been raised about the safety and use of Omegle by children and young people.
What do I need to know?
Contact with strangers
Omegle is specifically designed to encourage users to talk to strangers, by either using the website’s chat function or video calling within Omegle. Whilst chat is initially anonymous, many users choose to share personal information including names, ages, locations, email addresses, phone numbers or social media handles.
Explicit and adult content
Adult content is prevalent on Omegle, including pornographic content and adult language. Users have no control over what they may see or hear when matched up with a stranger. Some people use Omegle with the intention of engaging in sexually explicit conversations or participating in live sex acts, including with children and young people.
Lack of safety settings
Omegle does not allow users to report, flag or block chats that may be distressing, inappropriate or illegal. The website states: “Use Omegle at your own peril. Disconnect if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable.”
Omegle states: “Omegle video chat is moderated. However, moderation is not perfect. You may still encounter people who misbehave.”
Users can also choose to join an unmoderated section of the website. Some details of the moderation and monitoring of chat is available in Omegle’s privacy policy.
Age Ratings
Omegle is only intended for use by young people aged 13 years or older, but does not ask users to verify their age. Additionally, Omegle states that for young people under the age of 18, it should only be used “with a parent/guardian’s permission”. However, users are not asked to give their age before they start using the service.
Recording chats
Some people choose to record or screenshot chats in Omegle without the knowledge or consent of their chat partner. This means a one-to-one conversation may end up being seen by many other people. Live chat provides an additional challenge for children and young people who do not have the opportunity to edit or take back the things they may say or do in the moment.
Read more here: What is Omegle? Key things parents and carers need to know – UK Safer Internet Centre
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