Although there are a couple of things to remember before letting your kids lose in a chat. Discuss your rules about language. If you don't allow your kids to cuss at home let them know right off the bat that you expect the same courtesy to be shown in the chat rooms. Remind them about the "caps rule". All caps indicates shouting and a lot of folks are really annoyed by this. Remind them that they are not to give out personal information. No real names, addresses, phone numbers etc. Let them know that if someone in a chat room starts asking for these things they should be alarmed. I've let my kids know that if they come across someone on the net who asks for this information they should talk with me before entering anything. They don't register at any site without coming to me first and letting me give the "all clear".
At one point I had some links for chats for kids. I no longer have them because I found that on some nights they were acceptable and other nights they were not. This is the reason I have not included links in this article. What one parent may find acceptable may not be acceptable to another parent. It is similar to the same principle as music. My kids don't listen to Eminem while the kids down the street listen to it constantly. It's all in the perception of the family.
Chat rooms can enable children to feel more comfortable with internet. They also help them practice their typing skills. I know there are several kids out there who can out-type me by what seems like 100 words per minute. Just be cautious about which chats they join in. I also urge you to keep a watchful eye on the computer while they are in a chat room. If something makes you pause and gives you that "parental inkling" pay attention. I know many parents who swear by the "parental inkling".
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