Didn't you say you were in college? If you're at least 18, your parents shouldn't have control about what you do online; you're the one responsible. I really don't think an 18-year-old+ would have dangers going into the chatroom of one of the safest websites EVER, especially since most the people there are people from the forums, too.
You're more likely to get viruses and junk through Internet Explorer, I imagine, than chatting programs.