Omengle   

Omegle is a free online chat website that allows users to socialize with others without the need to register. The service randomly pairs users in one-on-one chat sessions where they chat anonymously using the names "You" and "Stranger.  (Wikipedia) 

From Common Sense Media:  Omengle is a chat site that puts two strangers together in their choice of a text chat or a video chat. Being anonymous can be very attractive to teens, and Omegle provides a no-fuss way to make connections. Its "interest boxes" also let users filter potential chat partners by shared interests. 


  • Users get paired up with strangers. That's the whole premise of the app. And there's no registration required. 
  • This is not a site for kids and teens. Omegle is filled with people searching for sexual chat. Some prefer to do so live. Others offer links to porn sites. 
  • Language is a big issue. Since the chats are anonymous, they're often much more explicit than those with identifiable users might be

 

 

TamTam   

Texting, voice or video calls, TamTam Messenger will work with slow Internet connection. All messages in TamTam are encrypted and stored in a distributed network of servers. TamTam is created by Mail.ru Group  (Mail.Ru Group is a Russian internet company so all data is stored on servers in Russia) 

Weirdly enough it is also being used by ISIS although the platform seems to be coming down by blocking their content the past few days:  https://theprint.in/tech/tamtam-is-new-isis-favourite-after-leaving-telegram-london-bridge-attack-was-claimed-here/328728/ 

 

HOOP  

Hoop is new (released in November 2019) and is actually a platform that ISIS is moving towards which is scary since teens are their target market due to its integration with Snapchat, which is huge among teens.   

From Common Sense Media:   
“HOOP. connects with the popular social media app Snapchat to help users make new friends. Users first allow Hoop. to access their Snapchat account, and it automatically connects with the account logged in on that device. They then set up a profile including their age, gender, and pictures. From there, others on the app view their information, and if interested, tap the Snapchat icon to request their username. If not interested, they simply hit the red "X" and move on to the next candidate. Once they've exchanged Snap info, the rest of the conversation happens in Snapchat. There's no chat in Hoop., and location information isn't included -- though some users put it on their profile image or bio. “