Filtering rows that have hyperlinks

rakdata

I have a datatable where I show online users are hyperlinks <a href></a>, which can be clicked to start a chat. I want to introduce a checkbox, which when clicked will hide offline users.

I have tried a lot of different things with

$.fn.dataTableExt.afnFiltering.push() but in vain.

My datatable object is in data_table variable, which I initiate as under

data_table = $('#online_users_table').dataTable();

Please help me in hiding offline users when the checkbox is checked.

Thanks!