We're all aware of the dangers our children face online. It's true that certain media companies and certain groups are prone to blowing the issue out of proportion but then the reality is that some dangerous people do use social networking, chat-rooms etc as a tool to prey on the vulnerable.
But what's not given a lot of attention is the danger that adults face online. Us ‘grown-ups’ can also fall victim to sex offenders who use the internet to lure people in. Online dating as a multi-million pound industry but it's not always safe looking for love on the World Wide Web. Currently a woman in L.A. is in court claiming that she was attacked by a man she met on Match.com.
According to her lawyer, the women is a successful Ivy League graduate who works in film and television. She met her alleged attacker last year via the website and he had, according to her "seemed charming at first, but on their second date had allegedly forced her to have sex with him."
This has lead the dating website to consider cross-checking users against the sex-offender databases. The site released a statement on Sunday night announcing that: "Match.com in the past had not screened users against a national sex-offender database over fears that such checks would be flawed and could give a false sense of security. We remain concerned about how accurate the checks would be."
It's right that it is highlighted that some offenders may slip through the net, but that's not a reason for the net not to exist. Web safety needs a two-pronged attack of action and education.
The court case in question which is taking place at the L.A. County Superior Court will decide whether or not there will be a temporary injunction barring the site from signing up new members until a screening process is implemented. In the meantime here’s ten great safety tips via onlinedatingmagazine.com
1. Trust Your Gut Instinct
2. Don’t Provide Personal Information Too Soon
3. Use a Separate Email Account
4. Use a Cell Phone or Anonymous Phone Service to Chat
5. Beware of Married People
6. Look for Questionable Characteristics in Your Communication
7. Ask for a Recent Photo
8. Stick With Paid Online Dating Services
9. Don’t Get a False Sense of Security
10. Meet in a Public Place for Your First Meeting
So, what do you think about the issue of online safety? Should adults know better when meeting people online or is there a genuine problem that needs to be addressed? It's unlikely that the judge will be in favor of an injunction but Match.com will certainly be under public pressure to make changes to the way they screen their users.