The graphics, text, and color of DontDateCreeps.com will strive for a neutral overall site look and feel conducive to a wide spectrum of appeal, because it is anticipated that users will represent wide variation in age and interests, in addition to both genders and alternate sexual preferences. This is a standard practice within all advertising media (Belch & Belch 1998) that is equally applicable to online formats. One mechanism under development includes prompts for users to provide basic information about themselves such as age, geographic location, and general interests.
This purpose of this feature is two-fold: (1) it is intended to augment the primary search functions by triggering additional searches associated with websites and databases particularly relevant to the descriptive information entered by the user; and (2) it will be used to coordinate page presentations most consistent with the user's age, location, and interests. For example, a user who enters "skateboarding" into the interest field will trigger hierarchical searches of online databases and web forums related to skateboarding, as well as presenting pages in formats corresponding to those interests.
Users entering "antiquing" into the interests field will trigger an entirely different design layout...
Legal and Ethical Issues: Because DontDateCreeps.com utilizes only non-proprietary information that is publicly available, it raises no legal issues with respect to the information returns associated with user searches (Halbert & Ingulli 2000). The user agreements included in the terms of use will include provisions disclaiming any liability on the part of DontDatecreeps.com for erroneous information as well as prohibiting users from using any information provided for illegal purposes.
Similarly, because DontDateCreeps.com utilizes only non-proprietary information that is publicly available, for the express purpose of identifying information relevant to any documented history of bad social character, it raises no ethical issues with respect to the information returns associated with user searches. It raises no issues of privacy and does not provide information unrelated to dating safety, such as financial information.
References
Belch, G, Belch, M. (1998) Advertising and Promotion: An Integrated
Marketing Communications Perspective. New York: Irwin/McGraw-Hill
Halbert, T., Ingulli, E. (2000) Law & Ethics in the Business Environment 3rd Edition. Cincinatti, OH: West Legal Studies.
