Experts warn parents as Omoggle website appears in NZ schools

A new anonymous chatting platform called Omoggle is gaining popularity among New Zealand students.

The free website connects users with strangers through live video calls and taps into the online “mogging” trend.

The website allows anyone to take part in a competitive game where people are ranked on their appearance and facial features.

Principal of Trinity Catholic College Rachel Mortimer warned parents about Omoggle through a post on the school’s website.

“Maybe your child has mentioned or heard of Omoggle maybe not. It is important for parents and teachers to understand what our wonderful young people are being exposed to in their digital world.”

The post encourages parents and teachers to support and reassure students, reminding them that the people who love them are not rating them on their appearance.

As soon as users enter the site, they have the option of entering a 1v1 match, hosting a tournament, a solo calibration, or to look at the global leaderboard.

Omoggle follows a similar format to the random online interactions that made the previously known website Omegle hugely popular with teenagers around the world.

In 2023 Omegle shut down following years of controversy over explicit content, harassment, and child safety concerns.

Omoggle uses AI to rate faces based on the PSL Scale (an AI-Powered Facial Attractiveness Evaluation), a looksmaxxing rating system that scores attractiveness out of 10.

The platform’s main feature appears to be its 1v1 battles, where strangers compete and are judged on appearance.

The website keeps track of who is a mogger and who has been mogged the most by people on the website.

Users can access a basic appearance scan for free, but to unlock their full face report they have to buy Omoggle Pro for $8.72 NZD.

The paid feature gives users a detailed breakdown of their looks and an entire facial appearance rating.

One anonymous student told TWN the platform quickly gained popularity at their school.

“Every lunchtime my mates play it, it’s a whole competitive game”, they said.

Online safety trainer Wayne Denner recently released a guide titled ‘Omoggle & the PSL Scale: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Your Child Safe’.

Denner says in the guide that young users have already reported offensive and inappropriate interactions on the platform.

“This includes adults who have exposed themselves on screen and have actively encouraged younger users to behave in the same way,” he said.

The guide outlines warning signs for parents and caregivers, along with concerns around children using anonymous video chatting platforms like Omoggle.

Netsafe was contacted for comment but did not respond before publication.

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