A new proposed law in New York could really hit some dating sites hard. As part of the Internet Dating Safety Act, this law will require sites to either perform criminal background checks on all members or post a notice indicating that they are not performing the background checks.

This new law is very broad, and applies to any site that allows you to meet strangers online. So, in addition to traditional online dating sites, popular pages like Facebook would be on the hook, too. Fines can be steep for sites that fail to post the appropriate notices or run the background checks.

Texas has already passed a similar law, and many other states are looking at similar statutes.

So, will this type of law deter people from online dating? Online dating has become so mainstream that it’s hard to imagine that people who frequent these sites aren’t aware that it’s important to take precautions before meeting online friends in person.

It’s also unlikely that any of the websites that fall under the new statutes will actually perform background checks on new members due to the workload and costs associated with it. So, when all is said and done, it’s hard to predict if these laws will have any positive effect on the safety of online dating. There certainly will never be a substitute for taking personal precautions.

News & Views Background Checks, Laws

Prince William, second in line to the British throne married his longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton last week in a gorgeous ceremony that went off without a hitch. But, will the elegant nuptials, broadcast worldwide, motivate other longtime couples to tie the knot?

It seems so, at least in England. Months ago, wedding insurer, Ecclesiastical noted that they were already beginning to receive more requests for wedding insurance, and they expected that number to continue to increase into the months past the actual day of the royal wedding.

Of course, spring and summer are the most popular months of the year for weddings anyway, but it does appear that seeing William and Kate tie the knot has influenced many other British couples to do the same.

Anything used by Kate and William can expect a royal boost, too. We all know that many brides will want a dress that is a copy of, or at least similar to, the beautiful and demure gown worn by the now Duchess of Cambridge.

But, even venues will get a boost from the royal wedding. Many wedding experts have predicted a return to the more traditional wedding venue after seeing the elegance and beauty of Westminster Abbey all decked out for the royal ceremony.

It will be interesting to watch the trends that come from the royal wedding. Let’s certainly hope that one of them is happy marriages.

News & Views Marriage, Weddings

In April of this year, an unidentified female Hollywood executive filed a civil suit against Match.com. She alleges that she was brutally sexually assaulted by a man she met on the site after their second date. She joins a number of other women in the suit that alleges that Match.com does not do enough to distinguish and weed out online predators.

Match.com is one of the most popular and reputable dating sites in the country. They do verify, as much as is possible, the identities of their members. And, while we certainly can’t speak to any specifics in this lawsuit, it is important to remember that we’re all personally responsible for our own safety.

Online dating sites provide a very convenient and easy way to meet others. However, people often have an unclear understanding about the services provided by dating companies and many have the false belief that members are being personally screened for them. Unless your dating service clearly makes this declaration to you, you should assume meeting somone through this route is no different from meeting someone in a cafè or supermarket. Always take the normal precautions of meeting someone for the first time.

Although online dating can be a scary proposition, many people have also found the love of their lives through this venue. Online dating through reputable sites is relatively safe, but taking precautions is still extremely important. Some of the most important things to remember include:

• Not giving out too much personal information
• Meeting only in public places until you’ve really gotten to know the person
• Looking for red flags, such as a person asking for money or for a lot of personal details early on

All online daters have to follow these guidelines to ensure their own safety. You truly cannot expect a dating site to find every bad apple.

News & Views Lawsuits, Match.com, Sexual Assult, Violence