If you know of Skype, this is what it was based on. (if not, look up Skype on here, there are some great reviews). As a wesbsite, it's only been active for about 8 months, but there's been a fair bit of media buzz surrounding it on account of reports that celebs like Ashton Kutcher and Paris Hilton use it (although I defy anyone to find Mr Kutcher amongst the orgy of sexual activity).

It's an online chat service that feeds your webcam and sound directly through to another person at random, in return you see theirs. You are then given the chance to talk to this stranger, or, in a rather blunt way, press F9 and quickly 'Next' them. The idea itself is a great way of giving people confidence and introducing people to other cultures (although the site is about 49% Americans), but I suppose you could put it down to being created by a 17 year old that the security is so low.

Some basic figures from earlier this year pretty much summarise Chatroulette - 76% of the random selection were male, 11% no person, and 13% female.

What was described as the 'pervert rate' was at 1 in 8 being someone violating the terms of use with sexual activity (unfortunately - most of which came form the UK). Which does leave you feeling rather violated once they have access to your camera, even if just for a split second.

Quite simply, Chatroulette is vulgar. And quite alarmingly, you come across girls and boys who can't be older than 13 (often sat with friends) on this site. The site has no enforcments to stop this or the 'perverts'. (Aside from an optinional 'report' button which blocks a person for 40 minutes when they are reported for such activity '3 times in 5 minutes')

As an actual site, it's not bad, the design is hugely simple and the speed is fair for what it is (with the occaisional lag) with a revenue made from very small dating ads. You have to give credit to the teenager who managed to make it.

Personally, I think it's something for parents to look out for to ensure their children are not using it. But at the same time, when you're feeling kind of immature, it's a hilarious site. What's more, you meet genuinely funny, interesting people. I've come across people who act out a sequence of emotions then next you before you have a chance to clap them and people that have asked me to rate a series of hats. And why lie; it does wonders for a girl's ego (...as long as you next before 'you're beautiful' is followed by 'will you show me your breasts?').