For Immediate Release

March 3, 2008

Guilt-free Dating for Single Parents

Toronto, Canada -- Two people enter a lounge where fish swim behind them in a large fish tank. A couple dances in the background. The conversation begins with a laugh, generated by an emoticon. This couple is enjoying a virtual date on OmniDate.com, where they can laugh, talk and flirt, all from the comfort and safety of their home.

"A woman can stay home on Saturday night and still “go out” on a great date. You won’t be lying to the office about your great weekend on Monday morning!" said Ravit Abelman, vice president and co-founder of OmniDate with her husband, Igor Kotlyar, Ph.D.

In a study by the Harvard University, the researchers found that virtual dates gave participants a more positive opinion of each other and these effects carried over into meeting in real life.

The goal of OmniDate is to move people from the computer’s virtual world into the real world. Through the free dating service, single moms can decide on who they want to meet after they find their best potential matches.

"Nothing makes people happier than a satisfying relationship true connection is the greatest gift of life. It is our mission to give women better ways to find true love," said Abelman.

Romance aside, safety is also a concern for daters. For single moms especially, getting to know a person before an actual meeting can add an extra layer of security. Through the practice dates on OmniDate, they can play compatibility games and chat, moving through those initial stages of filtering out the undesirables and encouraging the potentials.

Another advantage: it’s easier to say goodbye to an avatar than to a person. Many times, women continue to go out with people simply because they have not mastered the word "no."

"When the first step in getting to know someone is taken in a virtual setting, it substantially reduces the emotional and physical investment upfront. It can be so exhausting to deal with someone you don’t want to continue dating. And what mom has extra emotional energy lying around?” said Abelman.

Single moms cannot afford to put their children through the "parade of men" as well. Sometimes, women will continue dating the wrong person just because their children have bonded with them or simply put their search on hold until the kids grow up. By virtual dating, women can do trial runs online before letting someone come to the house to pick them up for a date.

And there is the savings: no dating wardrobe required, no make up, no drinks to purchase, no car to gas up, and according to Abelman, the best benefit of all.

"Guilt free" dating as you don’t leave the kids alone and no babysitter," she said.