IMVU - Keep your kids off of it

[jhart05]

IMVU: Instant Messenger Virtual Universe.

 

IMVU is a program you have to download and install. If you are a novice computer user all you would have to do is search for "IMVU".

 

I've seen ads for it everywhere, finally decided to check it out. It's not bad, "met" a few good people on there. One in Israel, would really like to find out what his life is like over there. Another in England, another who lives in Cleveland now but went to UW-Madison, etc... So it's not all bad.

 

Without going into much detail I was searching around checking out all the different rooms they have. Found one with a 49-year old man, with four 13 to16 year old kids, three of them girls. Decided to check it out. I was hoping maybe it was just a father away on business using it to "see" his kids. That is not what I found. What I found and what the pervert said to me when I entered the room, made me sick. I am trying to tell myself that it was a trap room designed to catch preditors, and those "kids" were actually cops.

 

Please if you have children under 18, as I do, or hell of any age really, even your parents who are probably not the most computer literate, remind them not to give out any personal information over the internet. Ask them if they have heard of these various chat sites, are on them, and make sure you can verify the real identity of who they are talking to. I know there are so many things today that we cannot keep them from being exposed to. This however is not one of them.

 

Sorry if this sounds "preachy" or a "yes, we all know that" type of thing. I was just very disturbed over the entire experience. If my one email here can help protect even one child from those wastes of human life, it will have done some good.

 

Thank you.

[JimH5]

Good post jhart05. . .

 

I'll be on the lookout for that one.

[jhart05]

There are more than just this one. I guess there are at least 5 or 6 other ones.

 

With these virtual ones, you can create a character, an "avatar", and do just about anything. From simple conversation to simulated hard-core sex.

[jhart05]

"Chatroulette" is the other one I was trying to think of. That one might be the worst one of all for children

 

With this you use your webcam to talk live with someone. It randomly hooks you up with someone.

 

Well with a live webcam, you can imagine what can, and usually does, pop on on the screen.

[endaround]

I don't have children but if I did I would never allow them a webcam and if its built in I'd disable it.

[jhart05]

Exactly. Since I don't have a real camera (don't know why) the only thing I use mine for is to take video of my daughter for the grandparents. Otherwise it's never on.

[Invader3K]

Weird, I had never even heard of IMVU before today.

 

I remember like the very week Chat Roulette came out, there were already news stories about what you'd typically find on there. Probably why I've never bothered with it. Then again my PC doesn't have a webcam either.

[sbrylski]

In defense of Chat Roulette, I've used it a time or three and had enjoyable conversations with people around the world - China, Germany, Kansas, Canada, etc. Of course I agree it's not for kids, but it's not only a worthless and hedonistic corner of the web. It is what it is.

[GAME05]

what would you say is the ratio of weirdos/perverts to normal people on Chat Roulette?

[Patrick425]

jhart05[/b]]Exactly. Since I don't have a real camera (don't know why) the only thing I use mine for is to take video of my daughter for the grandparents. Otherwise it's never on.

Wait, I know you said "don't know why", but you have a daughter and no camera?!?

 

[sbrylski]

what would you say is the ratio of weirdos/perverts to normal people on Chat Roulette?

One weirdo-perv to every four or five normals? Which is pretty crazy.

[jhart05]

"Wait, I know you said "don't know why", but you have a daughter and no camera?!?"

 

LOL!! I know. I feel bad.

 

But her mother has a camera. Takes a lot of pictures, and I just borrow hers when something important is going on that I'd like to take pictures for.

[jjkoestler]

what would you say is the ratio of weirdos/perverts to normal people on Chat Roulette?

One weirdo-perv to every four or five normals? Which is pretty crazy.

I must disagree. I checked it out last night for the first time and I'd say I saw a lot of penises. Probably 7/10 times were pervy guys.

[sbrylski]

what would you say is the ratio of weirdos/perverts to normal people on Chat Roulette?

One weirdo-perv to every four or five normals? Which is pretty crazy.

I must disagree. I checked it out last night for the first time and I'd say I saw a lot of penises. Probably 7/10 times were pervy guys.

Time of day could have something to do with it.