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A new Web site gives complete strangers face-to-face access to your children. The Web site, Chat Roulette, engages a computer’s webcam and instantly connects to another user who could be anywhere in the world.
The Web site ensures users cannot choose the person they talk to, though they can choose to disconnect with chat partners at anytime (NEXT’ing).
It’s an interesting way for adults to meet new people, but child safety experts said that it is not a place for children.
“Parents should be aware of this Web site,” said Cpl. William Liczbinski from the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The website site has a very simple interface and clearly states that users must be at least 16 years old and remain clothed; however, there’s nothing to ensure those requirements are enforced.
Many children have already discovered the site and where children go in cyberspace, Liczbinski said predators often follow.
“In the last 10 minutes just clicking around, we saw three men openly masturbating, we found at least two or three others just waiting to masturbate, and a couple actually having intercourse,” said Liczbinski.
Investigators said many times webcams were pointed below the waist, indicating to them, that the user would expose themselves to particular targets.
In one case, a man held a stuffed animal in his lap. ICAC officers said the toy was significant and shows that man was targeting kids.
“Maybe a child would see how cute the bunny rabbit is and all of a sudden, the bunny rabbit gets pulled away, and the child is exposed to something they shouldn’t be exposed to,” said Liczbinski.
A worrisome aspect of this seemingly simple website is that it allows users to talk face-to-face in real time.
ICAC officers fear that, that could speed up the relationship between a child and a potential predator.
“It becomes a more personal experience. Children, based on my experience, easily give up personal information about themselves. Name, address phone number, what school they go to,” said Liczbinski. “It’s just because they’re kids and these people are preying on these kids and know what to say to get them to give up that information.”
Parents can create online boundaries fairly easily. Many web browsers offer safeguards.
Here is a step-by-step video guide on how to block Web sites on Internet Explorer (care of ClickonDetroit.com).
Watch: How To Block Sites On Internet Explorer
But as always, police said the best thing parents can do to prevent online predators from targeting their children is to have many conversations with them about where they go online, what sites they visit and ANY friends they’ve made online.
“Get involved, because the more you know the more you can help your child not be exposed to something that they shouldn’t be,” said Liczbinski.