What in the world is chat roulette?
Glad you asked. It's a relatively new (September 2009) social media connection with a Web cam. Simply sign in, click on a button, and you are instantly connected via video to anyone, anywhere in the world. No names, age verification, registration, or background information is required. Just live pictures between you and your newest friend—a complete stranger.
As an adult, it's easy to see the dangers inherent in this media melding. But girls may not have any idea. So how do you educate girls? If you're hearing them talk about it, it's time for you talk too.
1. Talk about what draws them to chat roulette. Most of them like the thrill of meeting someone across the continent to learn about other cultures and discover what other teens their age are doing in different countries. Think of it as pen pals for the 21st century.
2. Talk through the dangers of chat roulette: Many teens, especially younger ones, are naive in thinking that they are simply connecting with a new friend. Most don't think through the consequences—internet predators being the largest. In researching for this blog, I couldn't even log onto the site because it contained "adult content". Comments I read about chat roulette included things like "most of it is pretty obesence, and they're like, if they are not being obscene, they will ask us to do things..."
3. Encourage them spend less time in front of the computers and more time connecting with real friends they already have. Today's teen relationships are a mile wide and an inch deep. They are the most connected generation ever technologically, but relationally they are the most disconnected generation in history. If they need a place just to hang out and build relationships, invite them over to your house. Don't set an agenda, but have games lying around for them to play. (And try to avoid video games—it defeats the purpose of their connecting with each other.) They'll discover and embrace the fun of games.
4. Make sure you inform parents of this issue. Encourage web cam usage only in common areas, such as the living room or the den. Also encourage them to purchase software that monitors and restricts where a user can surf online.
What have you heard your girls talking about in relation to chat roulette?
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