When children are in a chat area they are in a very public "place". They do not necessarily know the true identity of anyone they are talking to in the chat room.
Those who would wish to harm children can prey on those in chat rooms who appear to be left out or lonely. They can pretend to be supportive and sympathetic in order to gain the trust of the young person by being willing to "listen" to their problems and provide friendship.
This question of anonymity has raised major security issues with chat rooms. There is no way to really believe or trust a person you have never met except through conversation online. Many parents are leery of their children getting sucked into this alternate world, due to the number of pedophiles and perverts that have been caught preying on teens in chat rooms, posing as someone else.
Chat rooms allow you to meet many people you do not know, and while this can lead to fun friendships, it can also be a way for people who mean you harm to gain access to you.
You enter a chat room, strike up a conversation with someone, and before you know it, you have made a new friend. You need to remember that people can pretend to be whoever they want to be online. You may meet someone online who seems sympathetic and understanding, who gives you advice and seems to be your friend.
You can be talking to someone who calls herself Suzy and claims she is 10 years old, who is really a 40-year-old male who is looking to exploit you.
Chat is a very popular activity for young people, especially teenagers, but it is also probably the most dangerous area on the Internet where they are most likely to get into trouble.
There are dozens of means of chatting on the Internet, but no matter how you chat, keep in mind that the Internet is largely anonymous. A friendly stranger in a chat room