By now most of you have likely heard something or another about the random video-chat site known simply as Chatroulette. The idea is that you connect to it, then randomly skip through the different users until you find someone you are interested in chatting with. Clever to be sure, but not without its share of problems.

Issues:

1. Perverts — As soon as you add in a webcam to the mix, the perverts are going to come out in droves. And anyone who has spent more than 30 seconds on this Web chat service realizes this.
2. Random chaos — Because there is no basis for matching chatters based on common interest, topics, etc., most chatters find themselves dealing with either random people choosing to skip past them to the next person… or facing problem #1 most of the time.

Clearly, Chatroulette is interesting. It’s hip, trendy, and sadly, otherwise of no definable value outside of being the next digital pet rock. As for one Russian billionaire and/or Google investing in Chatroulette, I see this as a real dangerous situation. Considering the fact that there are zero age controls, absolutely nothing for moderation and oversight to protect kids from the sickos using Chatroulette, I personally think that anyone with half a brain would stay clear of this liability lawsuit waiting to happen. Am I wrong? Does Chatroulette provide some real-world value outside of moderate voyeurism for the bored individuals of the world?

[awsbullet:chat room etiquette]