"We've had cases where children are online and just chatting and they gave out the wrong bit of information and they end up getting abducted and sexually assaulted," McQuiston said.

Also, be watchful of children's computer habits.

"Sometimes (a predator) will take four, six, eight months to get to know the child and then they slowly break down the trust against their parents, their friends," he said. "Parents need to look to see if the child gets on the computer at the same time every day, if they get upset if you block it."

McQuiston said there is no "safe chat room."

"Anything that gives you the opportunity to chat is not kid safe," he said.

McQuiston freely admits he doesn't have the Internet at his home.

"My first night working on the task force — the next morning, I woke up and called the Internet provider and had it disconnected," he said. "My children are getting older where for school I'm going to need it. But there are safety features out there that can help monitor it."

Still, ICAC insists there is no computer program that is a substitute for a parent.

"Some parents believe these safety features alone will keep their kids safe," McQuiston said. "That's not the case."

McQuiston said when he reconnects his computer, it will be in a room where everyone can see what's happening.

"They'll probably hate it so bad," he said.

Help for keeping children safe:

www.netsmartz.org

www.netsmartz411.org (for parents)

www.cybertipline.com

www.missingkids.com

www.attorneygeneral.utah.gov/ICAC/icacmain.htm

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com