subject: The Webcam Roulette Phenomenon [print this page] Webcam roulette is a new style of chatting online that connects site users with webcams to other webcam users at random. A number of sites specializing in this type of online chatting are now available, with varying degrees of popularity. Some sites connect visitors at random with others from around the country, or even from around the world, while others allow the user to input specifics regarding what type of person he or she would prefer to chat with online via webcam.
This new trend has both good and bad points. On the positive side, webcam roulette participants can be introduced to a never ending stream of people from all races, age groups, countries and walks of life. A willing webcam roulette participant in the United States can easily meet people from countries all over the world with just a few clicks of a mouse. This new style of chatting also does away with the need for hours of endless typing on a keyboard. Rather than inputting messages to another individual, which in no way relate the sender's emotions or tone of voice, the people chatting can talk directly to one another. This allows everyone involved to get to know one another on a more personal level. A final positive point is that webcam roulette takes away the mystery and concern of never really knowing who you are talking to on the other end of the internet. Traditional chat and e-mail users who connect with someone far away while online cannot know without actually meeting that person face-to-face if he or she is who they claim to be. With chat roulette, everything about the person is out there for viewing upon first meeting.
In spite of the positive attributes of webcam roulette, there are also negatives. Some people use this new chat style for adult purposes, but not everyone who wishes to participate also wants to do so. In these situations, some webcam roulette users are likely to see or hear things they do not wish to be subjected to by another individual. Minors should be monitored closely while using webcam roulette sites for this very reason.
Webcam roulette is an exciting new trend that will probably be around and only increase in popularity over time - at least until a new, more interesting technology takes its place.
