Agents say the are currently investigating several cases of people soliciting children in online gaming services. Already one case has led to charges filed against a West Jordan couple.

White said police investigated an incident about four months ago involving a 16-year-old Kansas boy who developed a relationship with a West Jordan couple while playing an online version of the game Final Fantasy. In the game, people can create fantastic characters that they move around in a virtual world, going on quests either alone or with other players' characters. Players can communicate with one another via traditional text chat or through voice headsets.

Police say that over about four months, the couple groomed the teen, who was reportedly having problems at home with his single mother. The couple began talking the teen into running away and meeting them in Colorado. Although the primary motive of the couple wasn't believed to be sex, police say sex was talked about several times.

White said the couple met the teen in Colorado but the boy became nervous, managed to get away and called his mother. Colorado authorities investigated with help from police in Utah and Kansas and the couple is currently charged with transporting a minor across state lines.

Authorities say they expect more cases to crop up in the future. "The Internet is getting faster. Communications are getting quicker and the spread of broadband is allowing more opportunities for more people to play online," White said.

Game manufacturers aren't completely oblivious of the dangers. All of the next-generation game consoles come with parental controls that allow parents to limit what types of games can be played and can disable voice chat. There is also computer software available that can limit Internet access.

"The safety and privacy of our Xbox customers, particularly children, has always been a top priority," said Aaron Greenberg, group manager for Microsoft's Xbox Live service. The subscription service is used by Xbox360 owners to game online and chat with other players. "If someone is behaving in an inappropriate manner and we are notified there will be serious consequences ranging from suspension or termination of service, to elevation of illegal activities to legal authorities," Greenberg said.

Recently, Microsoft launched a campaign for parents to teach them Internet safety. Parents can go to www.xbox.com/isyourfamilyset to access information from the "Safety is No Game. Is Your Family Set?" campaign.