MySpace One Target in Sting Operation

(Online Dating Industry Journal) A growing number of people are using social networking sites, instead of online dating services, to find dates. At least 2% of "online daters" now find dates on social networking sites over online dating services, a practice that Online Dating Magazine doesn't recommend.

Social networking sites lack many tools that online dating services have to help match people. In addition, because social networking sites are free and allow people under the age of 18, the door is open for potential problems and abuse. This is one reason that the Online Dating Industry Journal rarely covers social networking and keeps its focus on actual online dating services.

One of the problems with social networking sites rang loud and clear on last night's "To Catch a Predator IV" on Dateline NBC. One of the sites the sting used to find child predators was MySpace.com and one after another the predators, who were looking for illegal activities with minors, were caught in the sting and apprehended. Then, today, the government announced that in a special operation, it rounded up 1,100 sex offender suspects. It's a reality that's important to face.

Online daters should always be careful of what service they select to find that special someone and should always follow some important online dating safety tips. In addition, online dating services need to do more to become a trusted resource amongst consumers. With consumer confidence in online dating services at an all time low, it is vital that services focus more on consumer satisfaction to avoid seeing more users select more potentially "dangerous" services over their own because of the lack of trust.

Joe's Comments
True.com is a prime example of a service that talks out of both sides of its mouth. They proclaim themselves as a safe service because they do background checks, yet then they launch sleazy ad campaigns that could easily bring questionable people to their site. Until they change their ways, True.com wouldn't be in my "top 5 safest online dating services" list.

Also, I am not a fan of social networking sites being used for online dating. They are not formed with online dating in mind and can create a lot of problems because of the number of people under 18 using those services (millions). As discovered from watching the Dateline NBC program,  predators like services that cater to those under 18. Thus it's a lot easier to avoid that element by going to 18+ services that require credit cards to become a member. But even then people shouldn't let their guard down. Common sense is always vital in all situations as is one's gut instinct.

Comments

[Dan Vest]

"They proclaim themselves as a safe service because they do background checks, yet then they launch sleazy ad campaigns that could easily bring questionable people to their site."

You mean, the type of person who is attracted by the female form?
Or - God forbid - the type of person who enjoys sex?
Do you have to be prig to be concerned about safety?

[Joe Tracy]

True professes to be a "safer online dating service"; a place to "find true love". Yet True.com advertises like they are an escort agency. So you tell me what one has to do with the other. Is True an online dating service or an escort service? They send mixed messages.

But this probably is, of course, the company's goal. After all, True's CEO (your dad) writes in his book that for a company to succeed it has to court "controversy" because controversy draws attention, which can help drive sales.

[Dan Vest]

They have sexy ads and they promote safety. Those may be *different* messages, but your suggestion that they're somehow incompatible seems baseless.

As for your question (what's one got to do with the other), once you remove the deliberately insulting analogy, your question becomes, "What has sex got to do with love or dating?"
Not an easy question to answer fully and completely. This much, however, is certain: It's a hell of a lot!
-More, anyway, than Louis Vuitton, Budweiser and the zillion other companies in virtually every industry that use sex to sell their product.

[Joe Tracy]

Since when was Budweiser promoting "finding true love" and a "safer online dating experience" with its advertising? You defend a practice you are connected with, thus have the inability to objectively view. Yet True.com remains one of the only online dating services to have "Advertising Issue" complaints filed against them with the Better Business Bureau. In fact, the array of complaint categories filed against True.com with the BBB is higher than any other online dating service. Does this tell you anything about True.com's practices?

You then have the nerve to call my True analogy insulting. Let's see - what does an ad pointing at a woman's breasts with the message "we're busting at the seams with single women" say to you?

And how come other forums are discussing this topic where people are reporting they can't view sites with True.com ads on them at work, less someone think they are visiting a porn site?

The analogy of True.com appearing more as an escort agency than an online dating service is right on the mark, IMHO. Your advertising campaign defines who you are. It helps brand what people think of your service. And you've chosen to exploit women with seductive ads and slogans. Do you think these ads attract men looking for long term relationships or those looking for sex?

Instead of defending sleazy practices, you might want to take a step back, look at your advertising campaign (big posters of each ad in a conference room), bring in a focus group and ask them "how does this advertising define True.com?" You may find my analogy mild in comparison to what others say.

You and I both know this is a ploy right out of the manual written by your dad - do something controversial, get people talking about it, keep the controversy burning hot, then exploit it for profits. At least with the background checks you could garnish public support. With this ad campaign, you are showing everyone True's true colors.

As another blogger (and magazine writer) put it:

"true.com has the most interesting ads now, generally showing women whose breasts are so ample, they are barely restrained in their blouses. The ads promise "sexy single women."

Yeah, that'll keep the felons and married guys away."

[Russ]

I saw an ad on MySpace for True.com dating service that basically said go here to search for sex in YOUR city, and something about a sex quiz or test (I don't remember exactly).

But, isn't MySpace mostly used by teenagers, and if so, isn't it extremely inappropriate for those kinds of ads to be on there?

Word