I was wandering if dating a guy who is 23 when the girl is 16 is okay if they avoid sex. Hope some one can help, it's not for me but for someone I know.

How can they avoid sex? Why would a 23 year old man want to date a child? That's sickening!

How can they avoid sex? Why would a 23 year old man want to date a child? That's sickening!
They could just not have it, I guess. Not that I know very much about relationships or anything, and neither does my friend apparently. 16 is age of consent where she is. Is it illegal for them to simply date. If you would, would you define what age of consent actually means for me, and what it does.
-Thanks

If her parents forbid it, then yes. And I would wonder at any parents that would let a 23 yr old date their 16 yr old daughter. Or any 23 yr old would get romantically involved with a 16 yr old.

... If you would, would you define what age of consent actually means for me, and what it does.
-Thanks

Rape is a felony (serious crime), defined as having sex with someone without that person's consent. If you are under the "age of consent", you are legally incapable of giving consent to having sex and, thus, it would be rape (or sexual assault, or whatever it's called in your jurisdiction). Because of the statute thus limiting the age at which one may consent, it is commonly referred to as "statutory" rape.

They could just not have it, I guess. 16 is age of consent where she is. Is it illegal for them to simply date. If you would, would you define what age of consent actually means for me, and what it does.
-Thanks

Age of consent can mean different things by state. In one state it can mean you are free to date/have sex with any age of consent age. Another state it can mean you can with someone within 4 years of the age of consent if you are considered a minor (16 - 20). Its not illegal to hang out, be friends and They could just not have sex, but whose caring when their hormones are raging?

It is totally wrong and any 23 year old who would even want to, is nothing but a pedophile.

And of course they will not avoid sex for very long, In the start, he may say, he is not interested, but of course that is what he wants.

The parents of the 16 year old will have to know and give permission for them to date. But any good parent would not do that.