Video games help sex predators meet kids

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MCLEAN, Va., July 2 (UPI) -- A growing number of sexual predators are turning to video games played on the Wii and PlayStation to interact with young Americans on the Internet, police say.

"Child predators are migrating from traditional methods to alternate media. They are going to places where children are," said Detective Lt. Thomas Kish of the Michigan State Police.

Marc Rogers, director of Purdue University's Cyber Forensics Lab, said it is possible parents are not aware the games are linked to the Internet and many children know how to evade parental settings.

Predators think they can get a "foot in the door" by meeting children through Internet games that allow players to exchange text messages, Kish said.

Undercover police are busting predators who meet children playing new, popular games such as Grand Theft Auto and even older games like checkers and chess, USA Today reported Wednesday.