Make Teen Online Dating Safer

Federal and state courts routinely restrict Internet access for sex offenders as a condition of probation or parole. But only Florida, Nevada and New Jersey have legislation making this an actual law. New Jersey recently banned sex offenders from social networking web sites, chat rooms and online dating services.

Sex offenders who ignore these bans face criminal charges that carry up to eighteen months in prison and a $10,000 fine. Under the new law, sex offenders will have to notify law enforcement if they have access to a computer and get written approval to use it. Parole officers will then be able to check a device that all offenders will have installed on their computers to monitor Internet usage.

These laws are very important, especially with the popularity of teen online dating. Teens are the most vulnerable group to sexual predators. Hopefully other states in the nation will follow suit and pass similar laws to protect them.