omegle had basically no moderation. that's why it got sued into oblivion. if you want random video chat in 2026, you need to use platforms that actually try to keep things safe.
but "safe" doesn't have to mean boring or over-controlled. here are apps that balance safety with the spontaneous fun of random chat.
safest options ranked
tjub
ai moderation that works in real time. inappropriate content gets caught before you see it, not after you report it. age verification required for video chat. reporting and blocking are instant.
free version has full safety features. you don't have to pay for protection.
best moderationcamsurf
positions itself as "family friendly" with strict moderation. maybe too strict sometimes - conversations can feel limited. but if maximum safety is your priority, it works.
smaller user base means slower matching.
strictest rulesometv
moderation exists but it's reactive not proactive. you report, they eventually review. better than nothing but you'll still see stuff you shouldn't sometimes.
big user base is nice but moderation could be tighter.
decent moderationwhat makes moderation "real"
proactive vs reactive
reactive moderation: you see inappropriate content, you report it, they review it, maybe they ban the person. problem: you already saw it.
proactive moderation: ai or human moderators detect inappropriate content before it reaches you. much better experience.
age verification
apps that just ask "are you 18?" are not serious about safety. real verification requires proof. this keeps younger users safer and improves the experience for adults.
quick response to reports
when you report someone, what happens? good platforms take action immediately. bad platforms add reports to a queue that takes days to review.
ban enforcement
can banned users just make a new account and come back? the best platforms have ways to prevent ban evasion. device ids, phone verification, ip tracking.
why omegle failed at safety
omegle was founded when the internet was more wild west. moderation was expensive and the founder didn't want to do it. for years it worked because lawsuits weren't common.
then the lawsuits started. parents whose kids saw things they shouldn't. victims of crimes that happened through the platform. omegle's defense was basically "we're not responsible" but courts disagreed.
the lesson: platforms are responsible for what happens on them. the ones that survive are the ones that take that seriously.
how to test if an app is actually safe
- the five-match test. match with five random people. how many inappropriate encounters? if more than one, the moderation isn't working.
- the report test. report someone for a minor violation. how fast do you get a response? hours is good, days is bad, never is a red flag.
- the settings check. are there safety settings you can adjust? blocking, filtering, report history? good apps give you control.
- the app store reviews. search for "inappropriate" or "unsafe" in reviews. are there recent complaints about moderation?
your role in staying safe
even the best moderation can't protect you from everything. you need to protect yourself too:
- never share personal info. real name, location, workplace, school, phone number, social media. none of it.
- check your background. nothing visible that could identify you or your location.
- use the report button. every report makes the platform safer for everyone.
- trust your instincts. if something feels wrong, skip immediately. don't be polite to creeps.
the verdict
tjub has the best moderation in the random chat space right now. ai catches problems before you see them, age verification is real, and reports are handled quickly.
camsurf is an alternative if you want the strictest possible rules. ometv is okay if you want a bigger community and can tolerate occasional moderation failures.
whatever you choose, avoid anything that looks like a direct omegle clone. if they copied the interface, they probably copied the lack of moderation too.