A sting operation by a Washington State Patrol task force going after online predators shows exactly why warnings about Internet safety to our kids are so important.

Going online can be dangerous because of a man who allegedly wanted to meet who he thought was a 13-year-old girl for sex.

It started as an online conversation in a Yahoo chat room. A man wanted to meet who he thought was a 13-year-old girl.

Less than three hours later, undercover officers arrested 26-year-old Justin Schrum.

He thought he was meeting her for sex. It turns out he's a registered sex offender from Shelton.

Schrum, in court the next day, is now charged with several crimes, including attempted rape of a child, since he showed up to meet her at the mall.

Detectives snagged him in a sting -- part of an aggressive Missing and Exploited Children Task Force -- formed to put Internet predators behind bars.

And there are hundreds more predators out there, having sexual conversations with your kids in chat rooms.

"It's amazing, the things that these adults will show to who they think is a 13-year-old. And if they're talking to us like this? They're talking to a real child, I guarantee it," said Detective Rachel Edwards of the Washington State Patrol.

Sexual assault counselors say the predators are looking for sex, using explicit conversation to test how far a teen's willing to go, and to break down the normal social barriers.

And predators are going where the kids are. A new twist: finding victims while playing online video games.

Jackson is nearly 12, but does not play online.

"My mom won't let me," he said.

But for others who do play games online -- whether it's Xbox, Playstation or on their computers -- if they have a high-speed connection to the Internet and compete online, they're fair game for predators, who persuade them to play privately, and then pursue online conversation.

"It's just a whole new tool for sex predators to gain access to kids," said DeAnn Yamamoto.

Yamamoto is with the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center in Renton, counseling young victims, and says even if the kids aren't sexually assaulted, such sexual conversation is still traumatic.

"It impacts their self esteem greatly. Depression is not uncommon for kids who have been targeted this way," she said.

As for the suspect from the task force sting, Justin Schrum, he's pleaded not guilty and is set to go to trial in February. Prosecutors say he could get 15 to 20 years in prison if he's convicted on all charges.

As for kids who are being groomed by online predators, counselors tell me that kids will often tell a parent or another adult when something online scares them, or when an actual meeting is finally set up.

The kids may feel ashamed that they let things get so far, but counselors tell me kids need to know that it's the predators who are at fault, not them.

Get help protecting your family online at safetynet.aap.org.

Police detectives KIRO talked to, along with high school counselors offered the following tips on keeping your kids safe while online:

The one thing the counselor and detective advised: Do not let your kids go into chat rooms of any kind. You don't know who you're talking to in spite of what they tell you, and it turned out, the one guy who set up a meeting with the detective, and who police eventually arrested, turned out to be a sex offender. Kids believe what they think other kids are telling them, but predators will say whatever they need to, to gain your kid's trust and confidence, including lying about their age.

Monitor the computer used by your kids. Don't let them keep it in their bedroom with the door closed. You won't know if they're up to a dangerous activity. Keep computers in a family room, and ask your children to show you what they're doing. Check the history on the computer so you can see what Web sites your kids are visiting, and if you need to know their password to gain access, get it. As the high school counselor advised parents, the kids live under your roof and may not like giving up a password, but you do need to know what's going on to keep them safe.

If kids are carrying on private conversations, find out why, and why they need to be private.

Also, advise your teen to help monitor their friends and their online use. Often, the counselor says that kids will recognize dangerous behavior in their friends but not see it in themselves. Ask your child to report any suspicious or sexual conversations their friends may be having to a trusted adult before it's too late.

Monitor your child's profile to make sure they aren't giving out too much private information such as where they go to school, what sports they play, where they work, etc. It doesn't take a predator long to piece together facts to actually track down your child if that's their intent.

If your teen does spend a lot of time online, find out what's missing in your kid's life that they need the chat room or online conversation. The teenage years are often a time of transition and changes. Some kids may feel sad, lonely, or overwhelmed. Talk to them and find an activity that you can do together to get them off the computer.

ONLINE GAMING

Sexual assault counselors at the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center say they're seeing more kids become victims of sexual predators through online gaming. Counselors say it's another avenue for predators to make contact with children, and they may ask your child to play privately, and start online conversation. Over time, they may send gifts related to the video game to gain your child's trust -- eventually working up to sexual conversation or a face-to-face meeting.

As a parent, counselors recommend keeping open the lines of communication with your child, and avoid online games. If they are older, and DO play online videogames... make sure you monitor who they're talking to.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has age-appropriate Internet safety ideas on its Web site at http://safetynet.aap.org.