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Since launching in 2009, Chatroulette has become an internet phenomenon. The site randomly connects two users from anywhere in the world for a video chat session. At any time, either user may end the session and start a new one with another random user. If you're ready for a unique experience rife with peril and amusement, see Step 1 below to get started, brave internet pioneer! Disclaimer: Chatroulette's terms of service disallow anyone under 18 years of age from using the site.
Steps
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Get the right equipment. Chatroulette is a video-based chat service, so you won't be able to get much use out of it without the right gear and accessories. Make sure that your computer has a working webcam, that the latest version of Flash is installed on your computer, and that your speakers are working.
- If you'd like to talk, make sure your microphone is working, as well. This isn't essential, as text chat is also possible.
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Set up an account. At first, Chatroulette allowed absolutely anyone at all to use the site anonymously. However, to curtail malicious misuse, Chatroulette now requires users to sign up with a free account before using the site's features. Making an account requires choosing a username and specifying an email address and password for the account to be associated with.
- To make an account, visit www.chatroulette.com (don't worry, you won't be exposed to anything graphic yet). Click the "Start" button in the top left of the window and you'll receive a pop-up prompting you to create an account.
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Test out your webcam. On the main Chatroulette screen, you should see two black squares on the left side of the screen. When you use Chatroulette, the bottom square will display your webcam feed, while the top square will display your partner's. Click the "Preview your webcam" button on the bottom square to activate your computer's webcam. If it is functioning correctly, you should see whatever is in front of its lens. Usually, this is your own gorgeous face!
- When you preview your webcam you may receive a pop-up prompt asking for your permission to activate the webcam. In this case, simply click "Ok" or "Accept" or the equivalent option to turn your webcam on.
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Start chatting! When you've created an account and gotten your camera working, you're ready to spin the Chatroulette wheel! If you're not already there, visit www.chatroulette.com. When your mind is prepared and your nerves are steeled, click the "Start" button in the top left. Your mic and camera should activate and you'll enter into a chat session with a random user from anywhere in the world. Have fun!
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Be ready to skip to the next user or stop the feed entirely. After you click the "Start" button, the text on the button will change to "Next". This button now allows you to instantly end video chat with the current user and switch to another random user. If you're sheepish, you may want to keep your mouse hovering over this button so that you can quickly skip over any offensive content.
- Additionally, the "Stop" button in the upper left will immediately cut your video feed without reconnecting you to another user. As you can imagine, this button is useful when you'd like to stop the feed entirely.
- Finally, if you come across offensive or exploitative content, click "Report and next". If a certain user is reported often enough within a certain amount of time, s/he will be temporarily blocked.
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Protect your identity. Unfortunately, the internet is full of scammers, schemers, and creeps, and Chatroulette is no exception. Take stock of your surroundings - is there anything visible in your camera's field of vision that can identify you? If so, conceal these items or remove them entirely. Below are just a few of the types of things that can be used to identify you:
- Your real name
- Your address
- Financial information
- Birthmarks/tattoos
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Gussy up your appearance and surroundings. It's easy to forget when you're hunched over a laptop screen at 3 o'clock in the morning that your partner can see you , too. Before going onto Chatroulette, you may want to take a moment to ensure that you and the area around you is looking as nice as possible. Style your hair, wash your face, and remove any garbage from the surrounding area to avoid harassment at the hands of a merciless stranger.
- If you have different lighting options available, you may want to opt for a soft, warm light source, as, if you're like most people, you won't look your best in the harsh pale glow of a monitor.
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Have (good, clean) fun. Despite its bad apples, Chatroulette is an incredible tool. If used correctly, Chatroulette allows you to strike a genuine connection with someone from another part of the globe that you would never have met otherwise. Make the most of this opportunity! Behave on Chatroulette as you would if you were actually meeting someone from another part of the world - be polite, friendly, and open-minded. Common sense will get you far!
- Chatroulette does have a few
rules for its use. These are displayed on the main Chatroulette page before you begin chatting and are:
- Users cannot broadcast nudity or offer to do so
- Users must be 18 or over
- Users cannot broadcast spam (advertisements)
- Users cannot fake the video stream of another person
- Chatroulette does have a few
rules for its use. These are displayed on the main Chatroulette page before you begin chatting and are:
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Optionally, plan a gimmick. This is where the true fun lies in Chatroulette! Take advantage of the Chatroulette's randomness, world-wide reach, and relative anonymity to surprise and/or amuse a stranger! You may, for instance, want to prank unsuspecting partners by having a friend suddenly pop in front of the camera. Or , you may want to plan a hilarious lip synched song-and-dance performance. Your imagination and Chatroulette's rules for use are the only limits!
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Don't use Chatroulette if you're under 18 or offended by graphic material. This cannot be stated enough - Chatroulette is no place for children or the faint-of-heart . Though the majority of Chatroulette users are normal, everyday people, a significant minority are pranksters or perverts, many of whom are bold, brazen and malicious. A study published early in the site's run found that about 1 in 8 "spins" connected the user to "R-rated" content. [1] X Research source Though recent efforts to curtail this misuse have had major success, it is still not entirely rare to encounter graphic content on Chatroulette.
- Seriously, don't use Chatroulette if you're a kid and don't let your kids use Chatroulette if you're a parent. It's easy to see something truly horrible on Chatroulette. You've been warned!
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Community Q&A
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QuestionIs it really safe to use this without anything bad happening?Community AnswerYes, it's safe. You need an account to use it and there are monitors everywhere. If you do come across something "bad," just press the report button and that's it!
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QuestionHow do I use Chatroulette with an Android smart phone?Community AnswerUnfortunately, you can't use it with any smartphone device.
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QuestionCan I chat with a person if I lost service?Community AnswerYes but you have to be able to connect to WI-FI.
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Tips
- Celebrity appearances are fake. There are programs that allow users to feed video through their webcam, making it seem that they are someone else entirely. Even some "normal" people on Chatroulette are, in fact, pre-recorded videos. To test for this, ask the person to flash a peace sign or place their shoe upon their head.Thanks
- Be interesting. The best way to make the most of Chatroulette is to be fun! Have some kooky gimmick waiting in the wings, whether it's a drag rendition of Lady Gaga or an instant serenade for your new Chatroulette mate. If you don't wish to perform, at least make sure that you are visible and smiling.Thanks
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Warnings
- Beware of stranger danger. The danger of exposing your face and personal information to others on the internet is well-known. Just to reiterate, however, there are many people on the internet who make a hobby of embarrassing others and attempting to defame and otherwise ruin lives. Don't reveal anything that could hurt you later and be aware that as little as a first name can lead someone straight to your personal information in today's interconnected world.Thanks
- Chatroulette is NSFW. There is nudity, offensive gestures, objectionable language, and all sorts of ways in which the people on Chatroulette can shock. Needless to say, it is a site that is strictly Not Safe for Work. If you need to avoid people flashing their parts, try reading How to Avoid Flashers on Chatroulette.Thanks
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About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 238,785 times.
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